September 8, 2015
The Federal Government has stepped in to provide $200,000 “gap” funding to keep the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO) running, at least until June 2017.
Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said the support had been offered following lobbying by Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott.
In June, BIEDO CEO Carmel Summers said the organisation was at risk of closing by the end of this year if more funding could not be located.
However, she then said media reports that BIEDO would close were “too negative”, saying she was optimistic the group would be able to access the funding required to continue its work in the North and South Burnett areas.
Ms Summers told ABC Rural today the $200,000 funding would provide “breathing space” for BIEDO, enabling it to work to become more sustainable.
“We’re also working on a more self-sustaining model that will be running more like a business and we have a number of social enterprises up and ready to roll just about and we know that that will make the long-term viability of BIEDO more certain,” she told the ABC.
Mr Morrison said the Federal Government last year had undertaken a competitive tender for organisations seeking funding under an $800 million Department of Social Services grants round.
“I announced new bridging funding on January 30. Further, I announced an additional $40 million in gap funding,” he said.
“BIEDO has been offered $200,000 over two years to 30 June 2017 in the latest round of service gap funding offers.
“The government is focused on ensuring support is provided to front line services in areas of greatest need.”
- External link: Funding Found For Critical Bush Programs (ABC Rural)
