$400 million Regional Precincts and Partnerships Grants Programme now open for applications

The Australian Government has officially opened applications for the $400 million Regional Precincts and Partnerships Grants Programme. Aimed at fostering transformative investment in regional, rural, and remote Australia, the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Programme (rPPP) has the potential to be instrumental in unifying regional locales, amplifying their economic growth, and prioritising community well-being. Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King emphasised the significance of the initiative, stating, “I know how vital it is to have productive, equitable and resilient spaces for our regions and the communities who call them home.” She further highlighted that "partnerships are part of the fabric of regional Australia and the rPPP capitalises on successful collaboration, distinguishing it from typical grants programmes." Central to the programme is the adoption of a partnership approach. By uniting governments and communities, it aims to deliver regional precincts tailored to local needs. These precincts, often termed as ‘places of purpose’, are designed around specific shared needs or themes. Such a model ensures enhanced land-use integration, aligning infrastructure investments with the broader needs and aspirations of the region, its communities, and its transport systems. The financial commitment is clear: $400 million has been allocated to the rPPP over three years. This includes $100 million for 2023-24 and $150 million each for the subsequent two years. The programme is split into two distinct streams:

• Stream One focuses on precinct development and planning. Grants ranging from $500,000 to $5 million will cater to master planning, consultation, design, business cases, and establishment of partnerships.
• Stream Two centres on precinct delivery, with grants between $5 million and $50 million. These funds are to be used for aspects like public infrastructure, open spaces, or pivotal buildings that further enhance the precinct's value.

Eligibility for application encompasses state, territory and local government bodies, regional universities, and incorporated not-for-profit organisations. As the programme has officially commenced, successful applicants from the first tranche will be announced later this year. Concurrently, the urban counterpart, the urban Precincts and Partnership Programme (uPPP), is under design and will be available for those outside the rPPP’s statistical boundary. The synergy between these two programmes promises a nationwide impact in terms of precinct delivery. For a comprehensive understanding of the programme, go to The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website. Minister King concluded with a forward-looking statement, “By tapping into local knowledge, the Government can roll out transformative infrastructure projects that will be cherished by communities for generations. I eagerly anticipate the innovative ideas this process will catalyse and the fruition of these places of purpose.”