Regional Development Australia Fund and 2011-12 Federal Budget overview Information for Grants Network Victoria Winter 2011
This presentation includes: Commitment to Regional Australia RDA Committees and Government Regional Development Australia Fund 2011-12 Federal Budget Overview Further information and questions
Commitment to Regional Australia The Government has made commitments to regional Australia, including: A new Minister for Regional Australia, supported by a new Department of Regional Australia; Cabinet level consideration of regional issues and impacts; A strengthened RDA committee network; New and innovative funding programs such as the Regional Development Australia Fund.
RDA Committees and Government
Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) Overview A $1 billion Commonwealth Government program to support Australia s regions and enhance economic and community development and liveability. RDAF aims Support and invest in projects that support regions, enhance economic development and enhance community livability. Address opportunities and challenges facing regional communities. Achieve long-term benefits by leveraging funding from the Commonwealth, state, territory and local governments and private sector organisations. RDAF Outcomes Investment in regional priorities. Support for regional economic development. Sustained increases in economic output of local and regional economies. Increased social capital and quality of community life. Sustainable regional and economic growth.
RDAF details Key points: The RDAF will fund projects that support the infrastructure needs, and will enhance the economic and community development, of Australia s regions. Program funds will maximise outcomes through effective partnerships across all levels of government, and the business and not-for-profit sectors. Regional Development Australia committees play a role in helping to identify projects and confirming that proposed projects align with the Regional Plan. Round One closed on13 May 2011. Proposals to be assessed by Independent Advisory Panel Round Two will be announced later this year.
Eligibility Criteria Round One RDAF Eligible applicant (local councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisation). Grant of between $500,000 and $25 million. Co-funding required: no ratio for grants of less than $5 million; and at least dollar for dollar for grants over $5 million. Commence and complete construction between 2011-12 and 2014-15. Written endorsement from local RDA committee, including demonstration of alignment with Regional Plan. Broader regional benefit for grants of more than $5 million. Meet at least one national priority. Be supported by business case and other documents. Applicant must be financially viable. See Section 4.7 of the RDAF Guidelines for a full list of eligibility criteria
RDAF Round one application process 1. Proponent develops business case and submits application 2. Department reviews application to confirm eligibility against criteria 3. Advisory Panel reviews and ranks the application and advises Minister (see next slide) 4. Minister decides on funding 5. Department notifies applicants 6. Applicant negotiates a Funding Agreement with the Department 7. Applicant completes the project and acquits funds 8. Department evaluates project
Advisory Panel The RDAF Advisory Panel will be appointed by the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government. Panel will: Provide independent advice to the Minister on the most meritorious applications Categorise all projects as: recommended for funding in order of merit suitable for funding in order of merit not recommended for funding Panel will meet regularly over the life of the program. Membership and governance will be available on www.regional.gov.au once finalised.
Update on RDAF Round One Applications for RDAF Round One closed on Friday 13 May 2011. The round was well subscribed. Up to $100 million is available for Round One. Projects will be assessed according a competitive, merit-based process. Successful applicants will be notified in due course. RDAF Round Two will be announced in late 2011.
2011/12 Federal Budget Overview The Government's 2011-12 Budget delivers on the commitment to regional Australia and includes: $1.8 billion through the Health and Hospitals Fund regional priority rounds; $500 million through the regional priorities round of the Education Investment Fund; $109.9 million to universities through increased and better targeted loading payments to regional areas; $916 million for the first projects under the Regional Infrastructure Fund; $1 billion through the Regional Development Australia Fund; Bringing forward the introduction of wireless and satellite services as part of the National Broadband Network roll out; $20.3 million to strengthen the Regional Development Australia network; An investment of more than $4 million in the MyRegion website; A boost to investment in skills in regional Australia
2011/12 Federal Budget Overview Placed Based initiatives The Australian Government recognises Australia s patchwork economy in which different regions are growing at different rates and are facing different challenges and opportunities. The need to target, develop and deliver differentiated regional policies invites a place based approach to regional policy that can effectively address the unique and interrelated economic and social conditions experienced in different places. The Budget outlined a number of placed based initiatives, including: The Building Better Regional Cities initiative (47 locations will be eligible to apply) Regional Education, Jobs and Skills Coordinators (34 around Australia) Better Futures for Accumulated Employment program(10 communities) Jobs Services Australia Very Long-Term Unemployed Pilot Based Measure (20 locations) Promoting Regional Living initiative (based off successful EvoCites program)
Victorian RDA Committees and Contacts Department of Regional Australia - Bendigo office Gnd Floor, 50 Mitchell St, Bendigo, VIC 3352 Regional Assistant Director: Sandy Roberts (03 5448 1201) RDA Committees www.rda.gov.au Barwon South West 03 5223 2104 Gippsland 03 5174 9233 Grampians 03 5320 5900 Hume 03 5721 6988 Loddon Mallee 03 5442 4100 Melbourne East 03 8872 7406 Northern Melbourne 03 9935 0613 Southern Melbourne 03 9938 0144 Western Melbourne 03 9934 1304
Conclusion Further information about the Federal Budget and the RDAF is available on the Department s website www.regional.gov.au Questions