$10m to help border towns going

Projects to help regional communities bounce back from the impacts of border restrictions will roll out across the State borders under a $10 million COVID Recovery round of the CrossBorder Commissioner’s Infrastructure Fund.

Member for Albury, Justin Clancy MP said the grants from $25,000 will be available to deliver projects within the next three years as part of the $10 million COVID Recovery round of the Cross-Border Commissioner’s Infrastructure Fund.

Mr Clancy said the region has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, which followed crippling drought, bushfires and floods, and the fund would deliver the vital infrastructure needed to help the community get back on its feet.

“Funding is available to support infrastructure proposals in our cross-border community and I encourage interested applicants to contact the Office of the NSW Cross-Border Commissioner with an outline of the proposed project.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said border communities have faced some of the biggest challenges in the State’s history over the last few years.

“We are committed to getting regional NSW back on track, especially the cross-border communities that carried an additional burden when borders closed due to COVID,” Mr Toole said.

“The Cross-Border Commissioner’s Infrastructure Fund works with other jurisdictions to ensure cross-border communities don’t miss out on local projects like, better telecommunications and digital connectivity, accessing water supply or delivering social and sporting clubhouses or halls.

“We’ve worked hard to ensure our crossborder communities have been supported over the last few years.

“This fund has already delivered seven game-changing projects since it rolled out in 2018, from recreation facilities in Mungindi, to a new golfing precinct at Cobram-Barooga.”

Regional councils, community and sporting groups, and charities can now apply for the latest round of grants from the value of $25,000 to deliver projects within three years.

Interested applicants are invited to contact the Office of the NSW Cross-Border Commissioner with an outline of the proposed project. Funding is available to support infrastructure proposals in cross-border communities where there is a formal whole of government crossborder agreement in place.

Proposals require co-investment, proportionate to the benefit, from the neighbouring jurisdiction or private partner(s). The COVID recovery round expressions of interest close on 28 January 2022.

To lodge an expression of interest and for further information about the fund, including program guidelines go to www.regional.nsw. gov.au/our-work/ocbc. Applicants can contact the Office of the NSW Cross-Border Commissioner by email at enquiries@cbc.nsw.gov.au.