More than $1 million in funding for 92 projects in rural communities

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin today announced $1.06 million in funding for rural and remote communities from the final round of the Building Rural Communities Fund.

Mr Mulherin made the announcement in Ingham at a Blueprint for the Bush Dialogue for Action forum. "Over the last 2 years, 245 rural projects across Queensland have shared in $2 million in funding under this initiative including 92 projects receiving funding this round," Mr Mulherin said.

"The funding is having a positive impact in many areas around the state supporting a great variety of projects designed to make rural and regional communities more resilient and places people want to live, work and raise a family. "One year on from the devastating Cyclone Yasi and floods, Queensland's rural and remote communities are continuing to rebuild and the Building Rural Communities Fund gives communities a much needed hand."

Mr Mulherin said that the recovery in affected communities is ongoing and that a number of projects funded in round four focused on rebuilding confidence and resilience in local communities. For example: ·To manage impacts from Cyclone Yasi, the Cardwell Chamber of Commerce received $15 000 to develop the Cardwell Strategic Action plan to assist the recovery of the emotional state of residents and re-establish business confidence for existing and new businesses.

·The Tully and District Chamber of Commerce received $13 300 for creating a 'Banana Republic', a novel way to revitalise the Tully economy. The project will attract visitors to Tully by promoting the town and its people. The additional visitors will boost the economy and morale of a town that is still suffering from the impacts of Cyclone Yasi.

·FNQ Volunteers Inc received $15 000 for their project, Plan 4 Action, to hold workshops and provide mentoring to strengthen the sustainability of Non Government Organisations (NGOs). This is an efficient, cost effective and self sustaining communication tool to guide NGOs in response to natural disasters and critical incidents.

"There is a diverse range of projects supported, and particularly for this round, there has been a strong focus on building community skills and capabilities and enhancing community, social and recreational infrastructure", Mr Mulherin said. Mr Mulherin said the Building Rural Communities Fund contributes to improving the economic, social, cultural and environmental capacity of Blueprint for the Bush communities. "The Blueprint for the Bush includes communities outside South-East Queensland (excluding the major regional centres), communities west of the Great Dividing Range, small communities east of the range, and those in Cape York and Torres Strait," Mr Mulherin said.

Projects eligible for consideration under the Building Rural Communities Fund were required to directly benefit a Blueprint for the Bush community. The Building Rural Communities Fund is administered by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).

Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
08/02/2012

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Publish Date: 09 Feb 12

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