Dalby receives Rural Multi-Tenant Service Centre funding

A group of community-based organisations will receive initial funding of $17,500 to begin planning for a rural multi-tenant service centre in the Dalby area.

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said the Rural Multi-Tenant Service Centre project was part of the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush initiative.

“It’s all about encouraging community-based organisations, local governments, private providers and government agencies to co-locate and work collaboratively,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Rural Multi-Tenant Service Centre project involves combining resources and sharing facilities, in order to boost the capacity of community-based organisations.

“It also means that the organisations involved can maximise the range and quality of services they provide to people in rural and remote areas of our state”.

Five regional centres will take part in the Rural Multi-Tenant Service Centre project — Dalby, Lockhart River, Burdekin, Charters Towers and Longreach. Ultimately, they will share in Queensland Government funding of up to $5.4 million to help build stronger communities

The five initial grants of up to $17,500 will enable rural and remote organisations to develop business case proposals to determine the feasibility of their Rural Multi-Tenant Service Centre models.

Mr Pitt said that further funding of up to $1 million would be available to each location to meet the costs of establishing a combined service centre.

“The Rural Multi-Tenant Service Centre funding is part of the $30 million Strengthening Rural Communities strategy included in the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Queensland Government is committed to working with community-based organisations to help them tackle common issues and deliver more efficient and appropriate services to rural and remote communities”.

Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280