Building Better Regional Cities Program

About the Program

The Ministers Announcement

On 30 June 2012 the Minister for Housing and Homelessness announced the projects funded under the Building Better Regional Cities Program.

Projects Funded

Sixteen Projects have been approved for funding. Funded Projects are:

Regional City Description of Project Australian Government investment
New South Wales    
Ballina Wollongbar – development of Sports Fields $4.5 million
Lake Macquarie Wyee - sewer infrastructure $6.3million
Lismore Lismore - Invercauld/Ballina Road intersection and the Oliver Avenue bridge $5 million
Maitland Central Maitland - realignment and upgrade of Athel D’Ombrain Drive $11.3 million
Port Macquarie Thrumster –Sancrox water reservoir at Cowarra State Forest $3 million
Tamworth Coledale - redevelopment project including road works, lighting and youth facilities $10.7 million
Tweed Heads Tweed Heads South –intersection works, parks and trunk works for the Homestead at Fraser Drive $8.4 million
Wagga Wagga Forest Hill - roads, recreational elements and sewer works for Brunslea Park $6.3 million
Wollongong West Dapto – road works to open up Urban Release Area $13.9 million
Wyong Warnervale Town Centre - Water and sewer infrastructure $4.5 million
Western Australia    
Geraldton Karloo/Wandina – roads, bridges and underpasses in the City’s south eastern suburbs to enable the release of land $9 million
Mandurah Mandurah (adjacent to the Train Station) -  Pedestrian bridge to span Mandurah Road and Railway line $5.4 million
Victoria    
Bendigo Huntly – road construction, park and sewer works for Viewpoint Huntly Development Area $3.9 million
Shepparton Mooroopna West – flood mitigation, drainage and sewer infrastructure $5.4 million
Warrnambool Dennington North – redevelopment of Coghlans Road $2.5 million
Queensland    
Hervey Bay Kawungan – construction of trunk road and intersections $12 million
Total   $112.1 million

Applications for funding now closed

Applications under this Program's single application round closed on 18 November 2011. 

Implementation & administration

The Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs is responsible for the management of the Building Better Regional Cities Program.

The objectives of the BBRC Program are to invest in local infrastructure projects that support an increase in the number of homes for sale and rent that are affordable for working families on ordinary incomes, in communities that are experiencing positive jobs and population growth that need more homes to be built. This investment in regional centres may also help to relieve the pressure on major capital cities, so that Australia can grow sustainably.

Two main groups are set to benefit as a result of the Australian Government's contribution under the BBRC Program:

  • working families on ordinary incomes (low to moderate income earners) living in regional centres who are suffering from cost of living pressures; and
  • new residents who want to move into the area for jobs, who need homes.

The types of infrastructure that can be funded under the BBRC Program include:

  • Connecting or trunk infrastructure such as water and sewerage headworks, upgrades or extensions to drains and sewers (including the augmentation or replacement of existing infrastructure, where this is needed to support infill or greenfield housing developments), and connecting roads and bridges; and
  • Community infrastructure such as parklands and open space; pedestrian and cycle paths; community centres, and recreation facilities.

Funding for the BBRC Program became available in the 2011-2012 Financial Year and ceases on 30 June 2014.

Application Guidelines

The Applications Guidelines are available for reference.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to the Building Better Regional Cities Team by email at bbrc@fahcsia.gov.au, or by phone on 1800 034 564.

Content Updated: 1 March 2013