Deadline: 17-Aug-22
The State Government of Victoria is offering Regional Infrastructure Fund to assist the growth of rural Victoria by providing grants for infrastructure projects that have the potential to stimulate economic and community development.
The Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) focusses on priority projects to meaningfully support regional communities in their immediate response and recovery efforts, address complex local challenges and lay the groundwork for future growth.
RJIF supports regional communities in their immediate response and recovery efforts, seeks to address complex local challenges and enable opportunities for future growth. The impact of COVID-19 has seen increased numbers of people living and working in rural and regional Victoria. The Victorian Government recognises the ongoing opportunities to support their growing regions with the infrastructure communities need to thrive and attract a skilled workforce.
Objectives
The objectives of the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) are:
- To create and retain jobs in regional areas and support regional economies and communities, including transition, diversification and recovery efforts.
- To increase economic and social benefits through improved community access and usability of precincts, towns or regions.
- To increase economic and social benefits through investment in strategic and public enabling infrastructure.
Funding Information
Funding requests will be considered between $20,000 and $3 million excluding GST. Lower grant amounts than requested may be offered to a successful applicant.
Projects funded by this program
- Enabling Infrastructure
- Productive and Liveable Cities and Centres
- Rural Development
- Visitor Economy
Outcomes
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Projects funded through the Regional Infrastructure Fund will support the implementation of the Regional Economic Development Strategies (REDS) and the longer-term outcomes of:
- an enhanced visitor economy (e.g. cultural, food, natural assets)
- improved infrastructure for growth sectors (e.g. health, energy, education)
- increased liveability to support population growth and/or retention
- jobs growth and improved workforce supply
- more resilience to pandemics, economic transition, and natural disasters.
- Funded activity should show alignment to the relevant Regional Economic Development Strategy.
Eligible Projects
The Regional Infrastructure Fund will support enabling and transformative infrastructure projects that:
- are strategic and align with the relevant Regional Economic Development Strategy and RJIF objectives and, where appropriate, other current and relevant government (local, state or federal) economic and placed-based plans and strategies
- respond to and addresses opportunities and challenges relevant to an identified region or place
- make a clear case for the impact of the project and its identified economic and community benefits, at the local and regional level, and/or for the state or an industry
- are sustainable over the longer term, show demand for use and have no fundamental risks or constraints to the project’s viability (e.g. labour supply, transportation requirement etc.)
- have an evidence base showing demand for the project, demonstrate that consultation has been undertaken, and there is appropriate stakeholder support, whether that be community, local government, or local industry
- are well planned with well mapped project implementation planning, have identified other funding sources, and have a clear timeline for project development and use.
- can demonstrate that all relevant approvals and permits required to commence the project can be obtained within the proposed delivery time frame.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
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Applications will be considered from the following legal entities:
- Local Government Authorities
- Alpine Resorts Management Boards
- Aboriginal organisations
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business and industry groups including:
- chambers of commerce and business associations
- industry peak bodies
- business and industry clusters and networks
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incorporated not-for-profit organisations, including community groups that are a:
- cooperative or association
- social enterprise organisation
- TAFE institutions and universities
- public/private partnerships, through an incorporated entity
- other organisations agreed by Regional Development Victoria at its discretion.
Ineligible
- private entities
- State and Commonwealth Government departments and agencies
- unincorporated organisations, unless under an auspice arrangement where the auspicor accepts legal responsibility for the project and any agreement entered into under the RIF, see below
- pre-school, primary and secondary schools
- individuals.
For more information, visit State Government of Victoria.
For more information, visit https://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/regional-infrastructure-fund
