stimulate growth in regions by providing more opportunities for economic and social participation
improve access to services in a cost effective and sustainable way, particularly for those communities in regional Australia with a population of less than 5,000
support planning that assists communities to identify and explore opportunities and to develop strategies that result in direct action, and
help communities make structural adjustments in regions affected by major economic, social or environmental change.

If so, the Australian Government, through the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS), may be able to help fund your project through its Regional Partnerships Programme. GACC is your primary point of contact to explore your proposal's suitability for Regional Partnerships funding based on one or more of these four programme objectives.

In addition, each year the Australian Government identifies areas that are priorities for funding under the Regional Partnerships Programme. The Australian Government’s four priorities for 2006–07 are:
    Small or Disadvantaged Communities: Small communities and communities suffering economic or social disadvantage have the potential to be overlooked. These communities are particularly encouraged to develop projects that can address inadequacies in local community infrastructure and services.
    Economic Growth and Skill Development: There is opportunity under the program to contribute to job creation and employment-related skill development, which are fundamental to a community’s economic and social wellbeing, particularly in areas of lower employment growth or where the challenges of industry change or skill shortages are being experienced. Regional Partnerships applicants are encouraged to develop projects that will contribute to the creation of ongoing, sustainable jobs and to the development of job skills where these activities are not wholly funded by other government agencies.
    Indigenous Communities: Indigenous communities are amongst the most disadvantaged in Australia. The Government is seeking     ways in which the needs of these communities can be better met. These communities are encouraged to develop projects that are tailored to address their unique circumstances. Applications that assist Indigenous communities to make use of Shared Responsibility Agreements and demonstrate consultation with Indigenous Coordination Centres are encouraged.
   Youth: Supporting leadership capabilities of young people is recognised as one of the cornerstones for building community capacity. Projects are encouraged that help young people to become more capable and involved members of their communities, support youth leadership and address the needs of youth in their region.

Applications under the Regional Partnerships program are not limited to these priorities, however the Government expects that ACCs will put forward applications which address at least some of these priorities.
The Australian Government may also decide to fund other specific initiatives that meet the aims of the Regional Partnerships program.
The Regional Partnerships program will not duplicate existing funding responsibilities of local and state governments or other Australian Government programs.

Plus: Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund:

As part of Regional Partnerships Programme, the Rural Infrastructure Fund is a three year initiative providing funding to small rural councils and Divisions of General Practice to help establish 'walk-in walk-out' community medical facilities, making it easier to recruit or retain general practitioners. Funds of up to a maximum of $400,000 are available to contribute to the cost of infrastructure for 'walk-in 'walk-out' medical practices in regional communities with a population of less than 10,000 people.

HOW GACC CAN HELP:

Initial assessment of your proposal against RPP guidelines and GACC regional priorities. We may ask you to complete an Expression of Interest in order to do this preliminary appraisal
Assist you to identify other potential sources of funding. This will vary according to your proposal's features; we may refer you to another more suitable funding source, OR help you bring together co-funding partners to join with Regional Partnerships.
Provide detailed comment while you develop and refine your RPP application. This can include advice about what you need to do to obtain community or business support for the project, what supporting evidence and documentation you will need, and the process of submission itself.

Note that, during the application's assessment phase by DOTARS, GACC is also required to provide independent advice to the Minister on all RPP applications from the Gippsland region.

For more information, visit the Regional Partnerships website or contact the GACC Project Officer on 03 5175 0600. For further information about a wide range of other funding opportunities, please refer to the GACC 'Grants and Resources' newsletter or visit the 'GrantsLINK' or the 'Our Community' website.