Round two of RDAF opens

Thursday, 3 November 2011

Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government Simon Crean has today opened Round Two of the RDAF, announcing a further $200 million in funding for regional Australia. His media release can be found here.

There are a range of changes to the program as a result of learnings from the Round One process earlier this year.

Key aspects of Round Two include:

• A two stage application process that will reduce costs for applicants;  and
• Embedded local decision making, with an enhanced role for RDA Committees.

As part of this enhanced role, RDA committees will review Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from potential applicants to the fund and select viable priority project(s) from their region to progress to full application.

In prioritising their viable priority project(s), the Minister has asked RDA committees to take into account the priorities of their Regional Plan, the capacity of the project to address needs in the region, the level of community support for the project, impact of the project on the region and neighbouring regions, and readiness to proceed.

The new process for RDAF Round Two is as follows:

• Eligible applicants are required to submit one EOI form for a single project, to their RDA committee by Thursday, 1 December 2011. The form is available from the Department’s website.
• RDA committees will review each EOI and select three viable priority projects to proceed to full application (by 21 December 2011).
• Full applications will be accepted up until 15 February 2012 and assessed by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government against the eligibility and selection criteria, risk, and value for money.
• Applications will be considered by the RDAF Advisory Panel which will provide advice to the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean MP. The Minister will make decisions on projects to be funded by late May 2012.

More information including the Round Two Guidelines, key dates and full details on the EOI process can be found at www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/rdaf.aspx.

Applicants can ask questions relating to the application and assessment process by contacting their RDA Committee.

Download the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) Round 2 guidelines (PDF 1.1 MB)