Funds flow to region

MILLIONS of dollars in federal funding is coming to Bendigo and Heathcote under two separate programs.

The City of Greater Bendigo’s Heathcote Community Hub development and Bendigo Foodshare are to receive a combined total of nearly $3 million under round one of the government’s Growing Regions Program, while more than $1.1 million will go to the Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct project spearheaded by Bendigo TAFE under the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

The Heathcote project, part of the City of Greater Bendigo’s Heathcote Civic Precinct development proposal – including the library – has been on hold for budgetary reasons.

The funding, totalling almost $3.9 million, was announced by Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters in the wake of the recent budget.

“I am thrilled to announce the government will fund the Heathcote Community Hub, Community Food Hub and Bendigo East Urban Renewal Precinct priority projects in Bendigo and Heathcote, pitching in $3,878,783 collectively to make them a reality,” Ms Chesters said.

“These projects will make a real difference in our community and I look forward to seeing the benefits flow as works get under way, supporting local jobs and the local economy.”

The allocation for the city’s Heathcote project is $2,031,610, while Bendigo Foodshare will receive $665,636 towards its new community food hub, which is under construction in Golden Square.

That funding is part of the first round of the government’s Growing Regions Program, which is providing about $207 million for 40 new ‘local priority’ projects across Australia. Round two is scheduled to open this year.

With grants of between $500,000 and $15 million, the scheme is designed to support councils and incorporated not-for-profit organisations to carry out capital works projects in rural and regional areas.

The rPPP, meanwhile, will contribute $1.182 million to the urban renewal precinct project.

This money will support the planning and design of a precinct master plan to activate underutilised land for education, housing and community purposes in Bendigo East. It is being led by Bendigo TAFE.

The rPPP provides grant funding for design and delivery of precincts, or areas with purpose, to meet place-based community priorities.

Specifically, it offers investment in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia based on the aims of unifying regional places, growing their economies and serving their communities.