The Federal Government has announced applications for the Building Better Regional Cities will be open for local councils in regional centres across the country.

 

Population and Communities Minister Tony Burke today announced the opening of applications for funding under the Government's Building Better Regional Cities program which will provide local councils with support to alleviate housing supply pressures.

 

Councils in 47 regional centres have the opportunity to apply for a share in $100 million in funding under the Building Better Regional Cities Program.

 

"We recognise there are some regional centres were the population and investment is growing, driving new job opportunities but there's not enough affordable housing to keep pace with demand," Mr Burke said.

 

Under Building Better Regional Cities the types of infrastructure eligible for funding includes:

  • Connecting or trunk infrastructure such as water and sewerage headworks, upgrades or extensions to drains and sewers (including the augmentation or replacement of existing infrastructure, where this is needed to support infill or greenfield housing developments), and connecting roads and bridges; and
  • Community infrastructure such as parklands and open space; community centres, and recreation facilities.

 

Applications will close at 4.00pm (AEDT) on Friday 18 November 2011.

Further information is available from the Building Better Regional Cities Program website atwww.environment.gov.au/housing/bbrc.