Regional Services: Ongoing initiatives
Regional Partnerships
The Australian Government's approach to regional development, as set out in "Stronger Regions, A Stronger Australia" is to work in partnership with communities, government and the private sector to foster the development of self–reliant communities and regions.
The Australian Government has allocated $270.6 million from 2006-07 to 2009-10 under the Regional Partnerships programme to support this approach to regional development. The Regional Partnerships programme focuses on projects which help stimulate growth in regions, improve access to services, support planning and help communities make structural adjustment.
On average, the Regional Partnerships programme attracts a further three dollars from other sources for every dollar invested by the Australian Government.
Australian communities continue to benefit from funding to deliver commitments made during the 2004 Election. Funding of $27.8 million is available for six significant regional icon projects, $2.8 million to share between 15 Tasmanian projects and $10.8 million to benefit 14 other projects across Australia. The Supporting Regional Post Services is being delivered with Australia Post for $10.7 million from 2004-05 to 2007-08.
Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund
In the 2004 Election, the Australian Government provided $15 million over three years for the Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund. To date, $2.1 million has been allocated to a total of 14 projects in regional Australia. Examples include $200,000 to the Warialda Medical Centre and $168,880 to the Tottenham Walk‑In Walk‑Out Centre in NSW. Many other applications are currently under consideration and the Australian Government remains committed to improving the access of regional communities to doctors, dentists and allied health providers.
Sustainable Regions
The Australian Government is providing $15.4 million in 2007-08 for the Sustainable Regions Programme, which assists selected regions undergoing major economic, social or technological change and supports community leadership in the development of local solutions. The programme helps the selected regions plan for the future and build capacity for strategic and informed decision–making at the regional level. Priorities are determined by locally–based Advisory Committees comprising business, community and local government representatives, after consultation with communities. Applicants for grants are actively encouraged to seek partners to ensure that there is broad and integrated consideration of the issues within the regions.
Ten regions across Australia have benefited from the Sustainable Regions programme. The Darling Matilda Way and the Northern Rivers and North Coast New South Wales Sustainable Regions were established from a 2004 Election commitment and are still accepting funding applications. The eight original Sustainable Regions under the programme are the Atherton Tablelands, Wide Bay Burnett, Far North–East New South Wales, Campbelltown‑Camden, Gippsland, North–West and West Coast Tasmania, Playford–Salisbury and the Kimberley. While the original regions are no longer accepting applications for funding, they will leave legacy of significant projects which will continue to have a positive impact in the regions for years to come.
Area Consultative Committees
The Australian Government is providing funding of $53.4 million from 2007-08 to 2009-10, with $17.4 million in 2007-08 for the Area Consultative Committee (ACC) network. ACCs promote the Regional Partnerships programme in their areas and help applicants prepare applications for funding to the programme. Under their Charter, ACCs also facilitate whole–of–government responses to opportunities in their communities, foster regional development, and are the link between government, business and the community. ACCs assist regional communities to manage change at the local level and to lead their own development with the support of both the government and the private sector.
Federal Assistance for Local Government
In 2007-08, local government is expected to receive $1.7 billion in Financial Assistance Grants, comprising $1.2 billion in general purpose grants and $537.7 million in local road grants. This is an increase of $65.2 million over the 2006-07 allocation.
These grants are untied so councils can use them for local priorities. As councils are responsible for over 85 per cent of the nation's roads, the grants contribute to maintaining these roads and providing other essential council services. The grants are allocated between councils primarily on the basis of relative need. As a result more than $1 billion will go to councils in rural and regional Australia.
In 2007-08, South Australian councils will receive $13.5 million in supplementary local road financial assistance grants as part of a $57 million package over four years from 2007-08 which addresses South Australia's relative disadvantage in the local roads grant funding formula.
Australian Government Regional Information Services
Australian Government Regional Information Service (AGRIS) brings together a number of practical ways for Australians, especially those in regional, rural and remote Australia, to obtain information about programmes and services delivered by the Australian Government.
AGRIS provides people with information on relevant services and programmes along with contact details for responsible agencies. AGRIS consists of:
- a free-call telephone information service - 1800 026 222 - available Australia-wide Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm AEST;
- a website (www.regionalaustralia.gov.au) — The Regional Entry Point, providing information on and links to Australian Government services and programmes; and
- a printed directory — the Australian Government Regional Information Directory (previously known as the Commonwealth Regional Information Directory and the Rural Book), a comprehensive guide to Australian Government services and programmes with associated contact details. The 2007 edition marks the Directory's twentieth anniversary and can be ordered by calling 1800 026 222 from the end of May 2007.
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) is Australia's only national foundation dedicated to the needs of rural and regional Australia. The FRRR was established through the support of the Sidney Myer Fund ($1 million) and the Australian Government.
The FRRR is a philanthropic foundation, with an independent board, to help provide a viable social and economic future for Australia rural and regional communities. It aims to encourage innovative collaboration between business, community and government in philanthropic endeavours that will boost the economic and social well‑being of regional Australia.
Over the life of the programme, until 2008-09, the Australian Government's total cash contribution will be $14.5 million. This includes up to $3.8 million over that period to match contributions from the business, government and community sectors. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. The FRRR also has key funding partnerships with The Pratt Foundation, ANZ, the Gardiner Foundation, Bendigo Bank's Community Enterprise Foundation and Rural Education Programme Founding Donors, Sarah & Baillieu Myer, Tim & Gina Fairfax, John & Janet Calvert-Jones and a large number of private trusts and foundations.
The Foundation sets out to achieve its objectives in a variety of ways including funding projects that have the potential to achieve significant results for people within rural and regional Australia.
The Foundation also administers a number of small grants programmes, which have developed to help rural and remote communities with small, well-targeted grants. This Programme is aimed at (but not limited to) communities with a population of 10,000 or less and provides grants up to $5,000 or $10,000.
The Foundation's 'Community Foundations Kit for Australian Communities 2nd Edition' provides useful tools for community leaders who want to create and develop a community foundation in their community. The Foundation can also provide funds for feasibility studies and the establishment of community foundations.
Regional and Rural Research and Development Grants
Regional and Rural Research and Development Grants ($228,000 per year) facilitate research into issues affecting Australia's regions, and support this research being communicated to national and regional decision makers.
Regional Women's Advisory Council
The third Regional Women's Advisory Council is a body of 12 influential women appointed in June 2006. The Council's objective is to support the development and maintenance of resilient, vibrant and sustainable communities - harnessing the potential of young women leaders and indigenous women. Council members make use of their contacts and networks to provide feedback to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and other relevant Australian Government ministers. The Council may commission research and may also invite members of other representative bodies, departmental representatives and members of the community to provide briefings, or to participate in their meetings. The Council maintains alliances with other women's councils and advisory groups nationally.