Leader of The Nationals and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has welcomed the Coalition’s commitment to re-establish the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), a critical source of funding for infrastructure and community development projects across regional, rural and remote Australia.
“This is fantastic news for Maranoa and for every local council and community group that’s been crying out for reliable funding,” Mr Littleproud said.
“The BBRF will help communities invest in projects that make our regional towns even stronger in the future.”
The new Building Better Regions Fund will be supported with an initial investment of $250 million over two years, while a Coalition Government legislates to establish the $20 billion Regional Australia Future Fund. One of the initial key priorities for this Fund includes building and upgrading economic and community infrastructure, facilities and services.
This commitment builds upon Coalition local commitments to:
- $1 billion to re-establish the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, and
- $250 million to immediately boost Roads to Recovery road funding to councils to $1 billion per year.
- $100 million for upgrading medical training facilities and 200 new Commonwealth Supported Places for medical students in regional Australia.
Mr Littleproud added the RAFF will ensure regional Australia is no longer left behind.
“The RAFF will be a $20 billion fund that, when established, will deliver up to $1 billion dividend every year to regional Australia that will go into initiatives like the Building Better Regions fund.
“The BBRF delivered real results in our region, such as the Morven Rail Hub, the Roma Saleyard Multipurpose Facility, and the Stanthorpe Library Upgrade, as well as several other projects that created local jobs.”
“The Albanese Government axed this program as part of $10 billion worth of regional programs stripped away when Labor was elected. Following this, Labor imposed a two-year funding drought for the regions.
“Labor’s neglect of rural and regional Australia must be rectified.”
Originally launched by the Coalition in 2017, the BBRF delivered nearly $1.4 billion in funding for new infrastructure, tourism, and community development initiatives across rural and regional Australia.”
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