Information Hotline for Councils to Apply for $300 Million Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program

The Rudd Government has today launched the official Information Line to help councils and shires apply for funding through the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).

Last week, the Government announced $300 million to support local economies and jobs and help councils build and refurbish community infrastructure such as swimming pools, sports grounds, community centres, libraries and town halls.

All councils and shires will benefit from the new program.

The Information Line number is 1800 005 494.

It will operate from 9am-5pm (AES) Monday-Friday to assist local governments with:

• accessing funding under the RLCIP;
• acquiring guidelines for the RLCIP; and
• understanding and completing the application form for the RLCIP Strategic Projects. 

The Information Line is being staffed by trained officers from my Department to help councils speed up the application process.

The Government is determined to make sure that high quality and ready-to-proceed local infrastructure projects get approved and underway as quickly as possible.

That's why we have set strict deadlines to deliver funds in this financial year.

Applications for the $50 million Strategic Projects are due on 23 December 2008. 

Councils have until 30 January 2009 to take up their offer of funding under the $250 million allocation.

Guidelines and funding allocations for the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program are available at:

www.infrastructure.gov.au/local/rlcip_guidelines.aspx