Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Inland committee executive officer Nathan Axelsson
The Northern Inland Region is waiting for the results of eight projects submitted in the next stage of the approval process rounds three and four Regional Development Australia funding.
The final three projects selected for round for of the funding - between $500,000 and $15 million - in region are Tenterfield Shire Council’s Northern Growth Corridor (Mt Lindesay Road Upgrade); Joblink Plus’ E-Waste Recycling Facility in Tamworth and Walcha Shire Council Consortium - Thunderbolts Way upgrade.
Smaller community projects onto the next round include Glen Innes Severn Council’s Aviation College, Moree Plains Shire Council’s Evergreen Precinct Spa Water Reuse Facility and Artesian Recreational Reserve, Gwydir Shire Council’s Centre for Regenerative Agriculture at the Living Classroom, Pathfinder’s Tilbuster Station Development; and Inverell Shire Council’s Varley Oval Sporting Complex Redevelopment.
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Inland committee executive officer Nathan Axelsson told Fairfax Regional Digital the area had received one funding grant since the roll out began.
The area received funding of $8 million to rebuild Freeman House - a facility catering to homeless people and a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.
The area was unsuccessful in round two.
"It's difficult to say why, " Mr Axelsson said. "We put a number of projects forward under round two to go to the RDA fund selection panel in Canberra.
"I'm not sure what the rationale is behind their decisions but I'd say it's a highly competitive process and was probably less to do with deficiency in local projects but the high calibre of projects in other regions.
"There's probably an element of equality to it given we've received $8 million in round one.
"I certainly look forward to rounds three and four and I think we've got some strong projects there."