The Australian Government has partnered with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) to provide $897,755 through 53 grants to support COVID-19 recovery in communities in rural, regional and remote parts of Australia.
This funding is part of FRRR’s largest ever small grants round, which will see 176 community groups share over $2.3 million in grants in total.
The COVID-19 recovery grants will support community projects ranging from $10,000 to up to $50,000, and are distributed through the Australian Government-funded Strengthening Rural Communities – Rebuilding Regional Communities (RRC) stream.
The funding will help communities deliver projects including:
- Providing practical assistance, wellness activities and a community garden to enhance the COVID-19 recovery of 117 Aboriginal families in New South Wales.
- Delivering a creative dance festival to increase tourism in a town recovering from bushfires in Victoria.
- Constructing a new hanger at an aeronautical museum to run a job training program for students to restore vintage aeroplanes in Queensland.
- Encouraging greater community participation by seniors by providing upgrades to cooling and heating at a local arts facility in South Australia.
- Enabling connection to back up power generators for a medical centre in a severe storm-prone area of Western Australia.
- Expanding training and purchasing more life-saving equipment for a surf club in Tasmania.
The Australian Government has committed $5 million from 2022 to 2024 to FRRR for the RRC stream.
A full list of grant recipients and more information about the RRC program is available at https://frrr.org.au/rural-groups-awarded-a-record-breaking-2-3-million/.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“These grants invest in rebuilding communities that have taken longer to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic than more populated areas, particularly as many of these communities are also struggling from the devastation of floods, bushfires and severe storms.
“Our investment in this program supports vital community-led initiatives, which will substantially benefit people in the rural, regional and remote areas.”
Quotes attributable to Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Kristy McBain:
“Rural, regional and remote communities know what they need best, which is why we are committed to supporting local-led projects that make a positive impact to their communities, create job opportunities, and uplift local economies.
“Our investment of over $897,000 towards these 58 diverse projects will help transform these communities – from encouraging increased tourism, providing training opportunities, and enhancing access to life-saving medical equipment.”
