Call for major regional projects
Federal cash on table
A FUNDING stream restricted to major projects with price tags of more than $20 million that could transform regional Australia opens today.
Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch wants to get the “city’s brain trust” around a table to come up with one or two rock solid proposals for projects in Cairns that cannot be denied.
The Federal Government’s $272 million Regional Growth Fund will be open to regional, remote and rural areas across the nation, but half-cocked bids will be doomed to fail.
“We don’t want to have half a dozen projects. We need one or two really good ones that we can focus on,” he said.
“Everybody should be having a go and brainstorming, identifying our priorities.”
Mr Entsch said Cairns Regional Council would “certainly be in the mix” as a potential recipient but he hoped to look further afield.
The local government has had plans in place since 2000 to create the Cairns Transit Network – a priority busway extending from Gordonvale to Palm Cove and through the CBD.
Attempts to reinvigorate the plan, even on a small scale with a shuttle bus trial, have fallen flat in the past year.
“But it’s not just something to subsidise the councils,” Mr Entsch said.
Successful projects must clearly demonstrate how longterm economic benefits will flow to their surrounding area and proponents must be willing to match the government’s funding dollar for dollar.”
The guidelines specifically say projects must “transform regional communities through new business and employment opportunities, promoting the long-term sustainability and economic viability of regional areas”.
The Federal Government will contribute a minimum of $10 million to each infrastructure venture.
“Successful projects will provide greater support for existing industries such as agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, allowing them to innovate and flourish,” Mr Entsch said.
“The Regional Growth Fund is an open invitation to everyone eligible who believes in Far North Queensland to partner with the Federal Government to support positive change for the future.
“I look forward to working together with local organisations to deliver more jobs and more opportunities across Far North Queensland.”
Initial applications close on April 27.
WE DON’T WANT TO HAVE HALF A DOZEN PROJECTS. WE NEED ONE OR TWO REALLY GOOD ONES THAT WE CAN FOCUS ON. EVERYBODY SHOULD BE HAVING A GO AND BRAINSTORMING, IDENTIFYING OUR PRIORITIES.
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost