Sporting associations across Australia looking to improve their facilities to benefit their members and communities can now apply for funding under Round Two of the Australian Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).The $200 million funding round was announced today by Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean MP.

The RDAF, worth almost $1 billion over five years (some of which is subject to the passage of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax) is designed to boost economic and community development as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to regional Australia.

Below is a snapshot of the changes to Round Two:

• A two-stage application process, including a short paper-based Expression of Interest (EOI).

• One EOI per applicant for a single project.

• A maximum grant value of $15 million.

• Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate partnership funding on a dollar for dollar basis for grant requests of $5 million and less, and on a 1:2 basis for grant requests of more than $5 million.

• At least 50 per cent of partnership funding must be cash.

• Not-for-profit organisations must have a minimum annual income of $1.5 million.

• Projects located in capital cities must demonstrate how the proposed project will benefit the broader region, or other parts of regional Australia.

• Guidance is provided on the content of mandatory documents.

• A new web-based lodgement form for full applications.