The Queensland Government has announced applications for $60 million in funding under the first round of the Royalties for Regions program will open in September.

 

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Jeff Seeney, said that the 14 eligible councils have until early October to lodge their Expression of Interest applications.

 

“Of the $495 million being invested across the State over the next four years, $60 million will be available in 2012/13,” Mr Seeney said. 


“This is about reinvesting a share of royalties to help build new and improved community, road and floodplain security infrastructure and the first round of funding will focus on critical or urgent infrastructure projects,” he said. 



“The Royalties for the Regions program will also help local government and communities manage the impacts of rapid growth in the resource sector”

 

The Royalties for the Regions framework is made up of three funding streams: 

  • Resource Community Building Fund – to deliver improved community infrastructure such as education and health facilities, community centres and sporting facilities ($170 million over four years)
  • Roads to Resources – to enhance the safety, connectivity and capacity of roads servicing resource communities ($285 million over four years) 
  • Floodplain Security Scheme – to build levees, flood bypasses, flood mitigation dams, flood retention basins and other key projects to protect Queensland communities from flooding. ($40 million over four years, with $40 million funding to be sought from the Commonwealth and $20 million from local governments) 

 

Funding applications will go through a two-stage competitive assessment process. Eligible regional councils will submit an Expression of Interest (stage one), with successful Expressions of Interest proceeding to a full business case (stage two). 



Mr Seeney said eligible councils would be notified of successful projects in February 2013.