Applications are now open for grants in New England communities to improve local security infrastructure such as CCTV cameras, security lighting, fencing, gates and bollards.

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the Australian Government is providing up to $10 million for security infrastructure through round six of the Safer Communities Fund.

“Schools and pre-schools, places of religious worship, community organisations and local councils are all eligible for these grants,” Mr Joyce said.

“Grants can range from $10,000 to $500,000 and will cover 100 per cent of project costs.

“Previous funding from this program has delivered many useful projects in our region, projects which are already making a real difference to crime prevention in our communities.

“Guidelines are now open for the next round of infrastructure grants and I look forward to supporting more applications from the New England.”

In addition to the infrastructure grants, round six of the Safer Communities Fund also includes $20 million in funding for early intervention projects to support at-risk young people to help them turn away from crime and build positive relationships and skills.

The Safer Communities Fund is a long-standing program that has invested more than $215 million since 2016 and provided over 600 grants directly to local communities.

The Coalition Government announced $35 million including program administration costs from 2020-21 to 2023-24 to fund round six of the Safer Communities Fund in Budget 2020-21.

Grant opportunity guidelines for the early intervention and infrastructure funding streams are available at www.business.gov.au

Guidelines for the security infrastructure grants are now open will close on 5 August 2021.Guidelines for the early intervention grant opportunity opened earlier this month and will close on 22 July 2021.

(ENDS)