Funding program aims to strengthen rural links

Eighteen regional organisations will share in nearly $540,000 in Queensland Government funding to help build stronger communities.

Minister for Communities Warren Pitt said the Building Rural Links funding program was launched as part of the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush initiative.

Mr Pitt said 14 grants of up to $17,500 had been provided to develop business case proposals, while four grants of up to $75,000 had been approved to implement existing planned collaborative activities (list attached).

“More than 40 eligible applications were received, demonstrating the interest in rural communities to work together to tackle common issues,” he said.

“This rural funding program will assist community organisations to develop strong partnerships and ultimately deliver quality services to their clients.”

Mr Pitt said the Building Rural Links initiative formed part of the Strengthening Rural Non-Government Organisations funding program, a key component of the Blueprint for the Bush.

The successful projects are scheduled to start immediately or early next year.

“These initiatives aim to encourage organisations to work together to increase their capacity to deliver quality services,” Mr Pitt said.

“The funding will assist with the development and implementation of a range of collaborative service arrangements”.

Mr Pitt said such arrangements could include the development and implementation of inter-agency protocols to share corporate services and resources, or the development of cooperative service delivery models. This would not only benefit clients of those services, but would also assist the services with sustainability now and into the future.

Applications were open to consortia of rural non-government organisations, government agencies and private sector partners which deliver services in rural areas.

Organisations which have received funds are as follows:

• Charleville and District Community Support Association - $ 14,850
• Bowen Community Council - $ 17,000
• Monto Community Development Council - $ 17,500
• Cook Shire Council - $ 17,500
• Moranbah and District Support Services Association - $ 17,244
• The Creche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland - $ 17,500
• Carpentaria Shire Council - $ 15,000
• Lifeline Community Care Queensland - $ 17,500
• Theodore Early Childhood Centre - $ 17,500
• Anglicare Central Queensland - $ 17,500
• Burdekin Community Association - $ 17,500
• Flinders Shire Council - $ 17,500
• Mount Isa Community Development Association - $ 17,500
• Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council - $ 17,500
• Burdekin Community Association - $ 74,987
• Queensland Youth Services - $ 75,000
• Biggenden Shire Council - $ 74,975
• The Advocacy and Support Centre - $ 75,000

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286; 0408 701 379