Duplicate of National Stronger Regions Fund

The Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development's competitive funding programme for projects that support economic growth in disadvantaged regions.

Overview

The National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF) promotes economic development in Australia’s regions.  The Australian Government is providing $1billion over five years, commencing in 2015-16, to fund priority infrastructure in local communities.

The NSRF is a competitive grant programme, with decisions on projects to be funded based on information provided in the application and supporting documents, amongst other things.

Applications for funding are appraised against the eligibility and assessment criteria of the NSRF and whether funding the project would be a proper use of Australian Government funds.

Decisions on projects to be funded are taken by a Ministerial Panel in consultation with the Government’s National Infrastructure Committee of Cabinet.

Programme Objectives and Outcomes

The objective of the NSRF is to fund investment ready projects which support economic growth and sustainability of regions across Australia, particularly disadvantaged regions, by supporting investment in priority infrastructure.

The desired outcomes of the programme are:

• improved level of economic activity in regions;
• increased productivity in the regions;
• increased employment and a more skilled workforce in regions;
• increased capacity and improved capability of regions to deliver major projects, and to secure and manage investment funding;
• improved partnerships between local, state and territory governments, the private sector and community groups; and
• more stable and viable communities, where people choose to live.

Not all projects will be able to contribute to each desired outcome, however collectively the projects will meet the NSRF objective and desired outcomes.

Role of RDA Tasmania

RDA Tasmania can work with applicants to prepare competitive applications, supporting documents and evidence.

Successful NSRF applicants from Tasmania include Devonport City Council, Dorset Council, George Town Council and Launceston City Mission.

Addressing Assessment Criteria

An information sheet to help answer Assessment Criterion Two (the extent to which the project supports or addresses disadvantage in a region) and other useful information can be found under Grant Writing Tips on the Grants and Documents page.

More Information

Further information on the programme, including the application process for Round Three, is available at: www.infrastructure.gov.au/nsrf

Key Dates