Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Nationals candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey are calling on the Labor Government to extend the deadline for the Growing Regions Program.
Councils across the Parkes electorate could miss out on a vital federal community infrastructure funding opportunity due to the unfortunate timing of applications falling during the Local Government election caretaker period.
Applications for Round 2 of the Growing Regions Program – the largest grant funding opportunity for our regional communities – opened on 5 September 2024, when New South Wales councils were already in caretaker mode ahead of Local Government elections on 14 September 2024.
Applications are due to close next Thursday 10 October, before many local councils have even had a chance to meet following the release of election results.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton is calling on the Labor Government to extend the deadline, to allow our councils time to get applications in for much-needed capital works projects.
“Local councils are the predominant applicant for the Growing Regions Program which offers large funding grants for infrastructure projects such as libraries, parks, multi-purpose community centres and sports facilities,” Mr Coulton said.
“In Round 1, four of the five recipients in the Parkes electorates were councils.
“For the Labor Government to open grant applications for round two when councils cannot apply is just incomprehensible.
“Local Government elections happen once every four years in New South Wales, and it is inexcusable that the Labor Government would restrict applications to a time when councils cannot meet and authorise the lodgement of projects that will provide so many community benefits.
“Labor has already been starving the regions of funding, so to then restrict councils from applying for one of the very few regional grants available is further proof that this Government has zero regard for those of us in the bush.
“To top it off, round one recipients are still waiting to see the funding that was promised them back in May. It’s now October and not one dollar has hit the ground – two years after the Growing Regions Program was first announced.
“These projects are ready and waiting to go ahead but can’t without a funding agreement.
“This is frankly not good enough and just goes to show that Labor can’t deliver for the regions.”
The Nationals’ candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said the decision to open the Growing Regions Program during this period completely denies rural, regional and remote councils in New South Wales from making decisions and prevents them from submitting bids for important community infrastructure projects.
“I’ve been non-stop travelling around the electorate over the past three weeks and everywhere I go, communities are calling out for funding for projects that will improve the liveability of their towns,” Mr Chaffey said.
“Many of these projects have been in the pipeline for years, but they haven’t had the opportunity to apply for funding since Labor has been in Government.
“Considering this is the final round of the Growing Regions Program before the next election, newly-elected councillors will have no opportunity to contribute to projects and will potentially be saddled with ‘hangover’ projects they will need to fund and deliver.
“Federal Local Government Minister Catherine King, who is also the Infrastructure and Regional Development Minister, should know when the Local Government elections are held in New South Wales, so this feels like a slap in the face for regional councils and a total disregard for rural, regional and remote communities.
“Councils in New South Wales are under financial strain and without the support of the other two tiers of government, simply can’t deliver for their communities. They’re relying on the support of the Federal Government to make their budget stretch further.”
For more information about the Growing Regions Program, visit https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/regional-australia/regional-and-community-programs/growing-regions-program
