Building Better Regions Fund boost for Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay residents will benefit from an international sporting event and a community social plan thanks to funding under the Coalition’s Building Better Regions Fund Community Investment Stream.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said $69,420 in successful applications had been awarded under the first round of the BBRF community investment stream.
The following projects have been funded:

• Fraser Coast Regional Council has received $54,420 to host the Sail Hervey Bay A-Class Catamaran National Titles and World Titles in November 2018.

• The Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre has received $15,000 to develop a social plan for the region reflecting the demographic and social issues of the area and providing strategies to address these through an implementation plan.

“I’m really pleased to see these projects win funding from the Building Better Regions Fund,” Mr Pitt said.

“The A-Class titles will bring a real economic boost to the community, with around 7000 spectators expected across the two events.

“This will flow through to the tourist operators, accommodation providers, restaurants and cafes, and local businesses in the region,” he said.

Fraser Coast Regional councillor Darren Everard said there had already been more than 100 enquiries about the Sail Hervey Bay A-Class World Championships and it was still 14 months away.

“The feedback has been really positive and we can’t wait to host this event here. Hervey Bay is not only a great spot for sailing, but there is something for everyone to do. We have Fraser Island, the turtles and rum distillery just up the road and it’s a fantastic spot for families to visit,” Cr Everard said.

“The event will also give locals great experience in hosting an international event and getting the word out that the Fraser Coast is a wonderful place to visit.”

Mr Pitt said the Fraser Coast Regional Social Plan would provide a community-owned and evidence based framework which will inform investment and advocacy activities in the area and provide a basis that can be used by government agencies and not-for-profit organisations to make decisions on programme and policy development.

“A series of workshops and community engagements activities will be held during the development of the plan,” he said.

“Without the Building Better Regions Fund, these community investment projects often struggle to get funding.”

Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash said the Building Better Regions Fund Community Investment Stream was investing $6.9 million in community projects throughout regional Australia.

“I aim to help build the kinds of regional communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to. This projects help to do that.”

The Building Better Regions Fund is investing $500 million to foster economic growth in rural, regional, and remote communities.