More Innovation Fund grants available

The NSW Government is taking applications from small regional and rural councils for round two of the Fit for the Future Innovation Fund.

Councils representing fewer than 10,000 residents with innovative ideas for improving services for ratepayers have been invited to apply under the $2 million funding round. Applications will be open until 9 June.

The funding round will offer one-off grants of up to $150,000 for innovative projects and $400,000 for joint projects designed to improve frontline service delivery.

Under round one of the $4 million Innovation Fund program, funding was supplied for 13 projects across 19 communities.

Notable examples include a digital transformation project from Hay Shire Council aimed at overcoming distance barriers, as well as projects to implement business management software at Narromine Shire Council and operational management software at Bourke Shire Council.

“The Innovation Fund is designed to improve small councils’ service delivery, governance, performance and financial sustainability,” said Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro.

The Innovation Fund forms part of the state government’s Fit for the Future initiative, aimed at transforming and modernising the system of local government to ensure councils have the ability to deliver the services and infrastructure that communities will need in the future.

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