Councillors approve new Mildura Future Ready Federal funding bid
Published on 29 March 2018
Mildura Rural City Councillors last night took the first step towards applying for a share of more than $270 million in newly announced Federal Government funding for the Mildura Future Ready (MFR) advocacy and funding strategy.
The Federal Government this month announced the $272.2 million Regional Growth Fund, which Mildura Mayor Mark Eckel said appeared almost tailor-made for MFR and its objectives.
Cr Eckel said the announcement provided Council with an opportunity to apply for funding for both the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct and the Mildura Motorsports and Community Precinct (Stage 1).
The MFR advocacy and funding strategy aims to address Sunraysia’s disturbing levels of social disadvantage by attracting large-scale government funding for four key initiatives:
- Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct
- Mildura Motorsports and Community Precinct (Stage 1)
- Stage 2 of the Mildura Riverfront Redevelopment
- Advocate for return of the passenger rail service
Cr Eckel said that together, the MFR suite of initiatives would address the core drivers behind Mildura’s social disadvantage – low income levels, lack of jobs growth and high unemployment – which in turn will have a transformative impact on the region.
“Key to achieving these goals is securing State and Federal Government funding, and the Federal Government’s Regional Growth Fund has come at an ideal time for us,” he said.
“At present we have two MFR initiatives well advanced, with completed plans and business cases for the Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct and the first stage of the Mildura Motorsports and Community Precinct.
“Both projects have strong support from the local community as well as industry experts, and according to the broad criteria announced by the Federal Government earlier this month, appear to be promising prospects for a share of the Regional Growth Fund.”
The Regional Growth Fund provides grants of $10 million or more for “major transformative projects which support long-term economic growth and create jobs in regions undergoing structural adjustment”.
Cr Eckel said applications will be based on the ability of the projects to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities – all of which are among the key objectives of MFR.
The first step in apply for Regional Growth Fund grants is to submit an expression of interest, which Mildura Councillors tonight unanimously agreed upon.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 27 April this year. If the expression of interest is successful, Council will have three months to submit a formal funding application.
Council will also be in regular contact with the Federal Government to further support its expression of interest and any upcoming formal application process.
For more information about MFR, visit http://www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Council/Major-Projects/Mildura-Future-Ready
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