The last infrastructure projects to receive money from the National Stronger Regions Fund have been announced.

Since 2014, the NSRF has invested in infrastructure projects intended to address disadvantage, but after three rounds the program is about to be shut down.

During the 2016 Federal election, the Australian Government announced the new Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), which is says will support infrastructure and community initiatives outside the major cities.

 A total of 67 infrastructure projects will receive $126.5 million under Round Three of NSRF.

Most projects received about half their total cost from the federal fund, up to a maximum of $10 million.

Among the projects to receive the top payouts were;

  • Build Centre for Rural Child Health and Learning – a $35 million world-class facility dedicated to the health and wellbeing of rural, regional and remote children and their families. The new Centre will allow the existing Royal Far West (RFW) Centre for Rural Child Health to grow from supporting 1,650 to 15,000 regional children and families each year
  • Fowlers Road to Fairwater Drive Road Link – A $92 million Wollongong City Council project to build a 4-lane, 1.3km road link to connect to the West Dapto Urban Release Area; the largest urban release area in regional NSW
  • Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) - $10 million in federal funds will go towards the $66.5 million purpose-built performance theatre on the fringe of the Cairns CBD
  • Construction of the Charleston Dam Facility – an Etheridge Shire Council effort to construct a Roller Compacted Dam to supply 100ML of water per annum to Forsayth, 500ML of water to Georgetown, plus provide a recreational facility

The cheapest project to receive funding was in regional Queensland town of Lowood, where the local Show Society has received $25,000 towards a $50,000 effort to remodel the grandstand and extend the Lowood Show Society Hall to incorporate more hall space, and installation of a disabled lift for access to the hall.

A full list of Round 3 projects is accessible here, and information on the new Building Better Regions Fund is available here.