Applications for the second round of the Morrison Government’s highly successful Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) are now open.
Federal Member for Durack, the Hon. Melissa Price says Round 2 of this program is an exciting opportunity for many Durack regional and remote communities.
“I know Round 1 of this program has made a real difference to telecommunications across a number of Durack Shires and communities and I would encourage more applications for this round which reflects the Morrison Government’s commitment to regional Australia,” Ms Price said.
“Round 1 of the RCP funded 25 connectivity projects in Durack with an investment of more than $17 million which included satellite broadband, Fixed Wireless broadband, Fibre broadband and mobile voice and data infrastructure solutions. Almost$7 million of that investment was to Kimberley projects,” she said.
There is up to $112 million available in Round 2 with a focus to provide place-based grants to areas of high economic and or social value and outside the NBN Fixed line footprint where better connectivity and increased data have a clear benefit to a local region
“I am particularly pleased that in this RCP round, approximately $45 million worth of dedicated funding for telecommunications infrastructure in Northern Australia is included, under the Connecting Northern Australia initiative,” Ms Price said.
The Australian Government has invested approximately $229 million in the program, committing $117.4 million under Round 1 to deliver more than 130 projects.
Applicants will be expected to provide a financial co-contribution to the capital costs of the building or installing for each project.
Round 2 guidelines of the Regional Connectivity Program are now available online: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-technology-communications/internet/regional-connectivity-program
Applications close 5pm AEDT on January 27 2022.
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Media Contact:
Rose Crane 0427 587395, Rosemea.Crane@aph.gov.au.