MARCH 2023 - NEWSLETTER

30-Minute City - Public Transport Project 

This project aims to develop a 30-Minute City for residents of the Illawarra where it takes around 30 minutes to get wherever you need to be by public transport, creating a more connected and liveable city.

RDA Illawarra believes there is a need for improved public transport in the region including the introduction of peak-time express bus services to and from key precincts in Shellharbour, Wollongong and Kiama. RDA Illawarra has commissioned research from the SMART Infrastructure Facility (University of Wollongong) to examine and understand the challenges and opportunities in more detail.

Senior Lecturer in Transport and Logistics Modelling Dr Bobby Du, Head of eResearch - SMART Infrastructure Facility Tim Davies, RDA Illawarra CEO Debra Murphy and RDA Illawarra Policy Manager Alex Spillett (pictured left to right) met recently to discuss initial findings.

Continued advocacy and analysis of the preliminary findings from our Public Transport Research project will be the focus in the coming months.
 

 Further funding for Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Partnership 

In just 28 months the Illawarra-Shoalhaven City Partnership has now achieved 63% of initial target funding – over $548M invested in the region!

RDA Illawarra welcomes the recent funding announcement of $16.5M for the M1 Southern Access point at Tripoli Way a key project that will help to reduce congestion, travel times and traffic delays in Albion Park and surrounding areas.

Cohesive advocacy from the City Partnership cohort has been instrumental in achieving this significant funding from the NSW Government.

Click here to see a summary of progress.  

Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Businesses

The Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Enterprises Round 1 opens on 6 March 2023.

The grant offers funding for eligible projects with a minimum of $10,000 to $25,000 and does not require an applicant contribution.

Please refer to the Program Guidelines for rules regarding eligible applicants and projects.

Funding for more vibrant communities

The Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (SCP) Round 8 is now open, with $22.7 million available to support community organisations and councils to deliver much needed local projects.

Funding of between $2,500 and $20,000 is available for not-for-profit community organisations and local governments to fund small capital projects that deliver social benefits and boost local community participation, including small-scale infrastructure upgrades, fit-outs and equipment purchases.

Read more about  the Stronger Communities Programme - Round 8 here.
 

Export Market Development Grants open 15 March

Round 3 of the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) opens on 15 March 2023.

Updated EMDG Grant Guidelines and supporting documents are now available so applicants can prepare ahead of the portal opening.

Find out more about how to apply here.

Applications close 14 April 2023

Apply now for Festivals Australia funding

Applications are now open for the latest funding round of the Festivals Australia program. Festivals Australia supports individual art projects at regional or remote festivals and significant one-off community celebrations, allowing people in regional or remote Australia to participate in or appreciate an arts-driven experience.

Regional artists, arts workers and organisations can apply for arts and cultural projects that encourage community participation and audience engagement for people living in regional, rural and remote communities in a festival or community celebration.

Applications close 20 March 2023.