Geraldton in the running for better cities funding

Friday, 7 October 2011

Geraldton is one of 47 regional councils eligible for support under the Gillard Government’s Building Better Regional Cities program.

Senator Louise Pratt, Senator for Western Australia welcomed the announcement which will provide $100 million to support infrastructure projects and affordable housing in regional centres.

“The Building Better Regional Cities program is a Gillard Government initiative that will support the supply of affordable homes in growing regional cities and will help relieve pressure on our major capitals,

“Residents of Geraldton know that there are many regional communities around Australia where jobs and population have been growing while housing has failed to keep up.

“I am pleased to welcome this announcement which will allow the City of Greater Geraldton to apply for funding to support targeted, local infrastructure projects which will support new housing developments.

“Supporting our regions is a critical part of ensuring Australia’s sustainability. The Gillard Government is unlocking housing supply so that fly-in fly-out is no longer the only option in communities where we are seeing unprecedented levels of growth.

“The Gillard Government understands that housing should be a national priority, the Building Better Regional Cities Program is one component of a broader $20 billion commitment aimed at understanding and addressing issues affecting housing affordability in Australia.”

Local governments in 47 regional cities around Australia are eligible to apply for funding of up to $15 million each for infrastructure projects that support new infill or greenfield housing developments located within those cities.

The types of infrastructure that can be funded under the Building Better Regional Cities program include:

• 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 at www.environment.gov.au/housing/bbrc.

Media contact: Senator Pratt’s office 08 9225 4411

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