Warren Truss, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, and Jamie Briggs, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development have announced today that the Australian Government will provide up to $342 million toward around 300 community projects across Australia.

These projects will be funded through the new Community Development Grants Programme, as part of the regional community funding package committed to by the Coalition in the 2013 election.

The Australian Government will also fund projects that were left uncontracted under the former Labor Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) (Rounds 2, 3 and 4) and Community Infrastructure Grants Programme (CIG).

The Australian Government will fund the RDAF (Rounds 2, 3 and 4) and CIG projects on the condition that contracts are finalised within six months.

The new Community Development Grants Programme funding will support needed infrastructure that promotes stable, secure and viable local and regional economies. The Australian Government is committed to providing long-term improvements in social and economic infrastructure for communities across Australia.

The programme will be administered by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, which will undertake a value-for-money assessment against the programme guidelines to ensure transparency in decisions about funding election commitments.

In order for an assessment to be undertaken funding recipients will be required to provide detailed project information, including project outcomes and benefits, planning and costs and delivery timeframes.

RDAF Round 5 and all subsequent rounds will not be proceeding as these were Labor election commitments and were not funded.