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Economic boost to regions under Rural Plan

The Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government, Senator Ian Macdonald has announced 21 successful Rural Plan grants under Round Two of the programme.

These new projects will examine future opportunities for regional development and provide new economic opportunities for country communities.

Rural Plan is a strategic planning programme which identifies new and diversified economic opportunities for country communities. It funds a range of projects bringing real economic development to regions Australia-wide.

Local communities and industry incorporated groups, or those sponsored by Local Government, are eligible to apply. Funding is available up to $200,000 per project.

"The grants will help develop strategic plans designed to encourage dynamic and self reliant-regional and rural communities," Senator Macdonald said.

The 21 successful projects will receive a total of $2,261,100 in Federal funding. These are a sample of the projects funded:

• A strategic process to guide regional development in New England/North West NSW ($140,000);
• A project to identify and realise the growth potential of the Upper Murray region of Victoria ($153,000);
• The development of a strategic plan for the economic, social and resource development of the Dawson Valley region in Central Eastern Queensland ($75,000);
• A Strategic Plan for the Sustainable Economic Development of the Menindee Sub-Region in western NSW ($200,000);
• A dynamic strategic plan for the food, fibre, flower and forestry industries and to improve coordination in industry sectors in the Gippsland region of Victoria ($121,100);
• Development of a rural strategic plan that will address long term viability issues in the Yarwun &endash; Targinnie Fruit and Vegetable industry in Queensland ($78,000); and
• Braidwood and District Chamber of Commerce (NSW) &endash; to undertake a comprehensive consultation process to develop an economic development plan allowing the rural community to shape its economic future ($57,000).

This latest round of Rural Plan grants bring the total number of projects approved since 1998 to 43 and involves expenditure of over $5.5 million.

Details about the full range of Federal Government programmes that are specifically developed for rural and regional Australia are available on the Internet at http://www.dotrs.gov.au

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