Grant recipients will be covered for 100 per cent of project costs under Round 6 of the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the special provision will support Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic but applicants were urged to act fast as expressions of interest close January 29.

“We are delivering $150,000 in funding for up to 20 projects across the New England and best of all, the government is picking up the entire bill,” Mr Joyce said.

“Many activities are eligible for funding such as community hall upgrades like what we’ve funded at Nundle, Ben Lomond and Barraba, new sports equipment as we provided to the pony club in Tenterfield or new pre-school play areas like we’ve delivered in Aberdeen.”

In the 2020–21 Budget the Australian Government committed $22.65 million for a sixth round of the SCP with funding of up to $150,000 available for all 151 federal electorates across the country.

A maximum of 20 projects will be funded in each electorate, with successful projects receiving a grant between $2,500 and $20,000.

For this special round, grant funding will be up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs except for local governing bodies where grant funding will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs.

“It is important that we fund not only the big infrastructure projects but the smaller ones too because local organisations are vital to the fabric of our local communities here in the New England,” he said.

For more information, including eligibility and grant guidelines, visit: business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme

To register your interest in applying for a grant, visit barnabyjoyce.com.au to download an Expression of Interest form and lodge to Mr Joyce’s office by Friday, January 29, 2021.

(ENDS)