APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND

Upper Blue Mountains organisations may be eligible for Federal Government funding, with up to up to $45 million earmarked to support tourism-related infrastructure projects.

Applications are now open for Round 3 of Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) with $200 million in funding available for infrastructure and community projects.

Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman said the focus on tourism was much needed and encouraged local groups and organisations to apply for a share of the funding.

“Tourism is an absolutely essential industry in the Blue Mountains,” Ms Templeman said.

“Local tourism operators have identified the need for a refreshed strategy across the region as well as a need for significant public infrastructure upgrades and environmentally sustainable tourist projects.

“The figures show us that more than four million tourists visit the Blue Mountains each year, spending an estimated $666 million. Tourism is the second largest employer here, with approximately 12.9% of local jobs attributable to the tourism sector, generating $105 million in wages and salaries,

“So the long-term health of the tourism industry has flow on effects on the rest of our local economy,” she said.

Ms Templeman said Round 2 of the Program had provided funding for Varuna, The Writers House, Katoomba to hold an independent writers festival in the Blue Mountains.

“Varuna has been able to attract high quality writers to its past events, and demonstrated that there is a real appetite for this from both locals and visitors.

“As a previous sponsor, I look forward to an event that shows why the Blue Mountains really is the City of the Arts.”

Ms Templeman said community groups and organisations could apply for funding under either the Infrastructure Projects Stream or Community Investments Stream.

The Infrastructure Projects Stream supports projects that provide economic and social benefits to regional and remote areas involving:

• the construction of new infrastructure, or
• the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure. 

The Community Investments Stream funds community activities that deliver economic and social benefits to regional and remote communities including:

• new or expanded local events;
• strategic regional plans, and
• leadership and capability strengthening activities.

Applications close: Thursday, 15 November 2018 at 5pm. Further inform