West and South-West Sydney community groups can now apply for WestInvest funding with the $1.6 billion Community Project Grants program open to registrations of interest today.
Community, sports, multicultural and faith based groups, non-government organisations, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, universities, Local Councils, registered charities and more are encouraged to put forward transformative ideas for their neighbourhoods.
Eligible projects must be based in one or more of the 15 eligible Sydney Local Government Areas and deliver transformational infrastructure that addresses one of the six focus areas:
- Parks, urban spaces, and green space;
- Enhancing community infrastructure such as local sporting grounds;
- Modernising local schools;
- Creating and enhancing arts and cultural facilities;
- Revitalising high streets;
- Clearing local traffic.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the allocation of $1.6 billion to community grant projects would enable locals to take the lead on infrastructure projects that would benefit the community.
"Any eligible organisation with a great idea to improve livability in the West and South-West can now apply for a share in these grants to fund a project which will make a difference in their community," Mr Kean said.
"This isn't about major roads or tunnels or highways – this is about more quality green space, better high streets, strengthening the connection between schools and communities and improving local facilities. This is about allocating funds to projects that will make a real difference in the West and South-West of Sydney."
Minister for Enterprise and Trade, and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said WestInvest had been designed to fund projects that address real, local community need.
"This $1.6 billion grant program is significant, and its importance lies in that it is driven by local people with local ideas," Mr Ayres said.
"Already we have had more than 5,300 submissions suggest projects through the WestInvest Have Your Say website, so we know the people of the West and South-West Sydney want to have input into the infrastructure projects in their neighbourhood."
Community organisations will be able to participate in the mandatory Registration of Interest (ROI) process by 21 April, 2022 to help inform their applications and determine their eligibility.
Applicants will be advised of the outcomes of the ROI process before grants open for eight weeks from 2 May, 2022 until 27 June, 2022.
The $5 billion WestInvest program is designed to fund transformational infrastructure projects that will enhance communities. In addition to the $1.6 billion in grants for community projects, $400 million in non-competitive funding will be allocated directly to each of the 15 eligible local councils.
A further $3 billion is set aside to deliver transformational projects that will benefit local communities, led by NSW Government agencies.
