Social and economic infrastructure play a critical role in Australia’s economic growth prospects. This is particularly the case in Australia’s regional economies, which often have less diverse economies and face a range of challenges in attracting and retaining both a local workforce and a visitor economy.
The Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF, formerly the National Stronger Regions Fund) offers the opportunity for matched funding for projects that can demonstrate significant local economic and social benefits. Since inception, the more than $600 million in funding has been granted to a wide range of projects. But for every successful proposal, there have been three or four unsuccessful ventures, and infrastructure Australia has expressed concern that there is still a lack of understanding about how to successfully prosecute a business case.
On the 25th of May, Urbis’ Chief Economist, Nicki Hutley, presented to a group of WA Local Government CEOs on how to build a better funding case, for both BBRF and other funding sources. The session, which was organised at the initiative of UDIA in WA, was well-received, and will assist councils in their efforts in the next funding round. View the presentation below.
For further information on how Urbis can assist you, please contact our team.