Red Earth Gets $49,800 Grant

October 18, 2021

The Red Earth Community Foundation (RECF) will receive $49,800 from the Federal Government under Round 5 of the Building Better Regions Fund.

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud announced the grant on Monday.

Red Earth will use the grant to put towards the development of the “Burnett Inland Futures Strategy”.

The project – which has a total budget of $99,600 – aims to deliver “a holistic, regional strategy that has a 10, 20 and 50-year view for the Burnett Inland region”.

RECF chair Georgie Somerset said Red Earth was finalising the framework for the Burnett Inland Futures Strategy (BIFS) for the North and South Burnett and Cherbourg council areas as well as parts of Toowoomba, Gympie and Somerset councils.

The project has also received support from Stanwell Corporation.

“We are delighted to now receive funding from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund to engage with our communities across the Burnett Inland so they can be involved in co-designing their future,” Mrs Somerset said.

“Our region has an incredible diversity of industry, natural resources, human capacity and community connectedness, and we believe these will all contribute to a strong long-term future.

“We are considering the next 10, 20, 50 years, and we are confident people living and investing in the region are the best people to help build this plan.

“Through this next stage we will bring together a strategic plan with facilitated, kitchen-table conversations across diverse sectors of industry and community creating a platform for public/private partnerships and enabling the creation of a regional ‘backbone’ for other businesses, industries and community groups to connect.”

Mrs Somerset said the BIFS was also an opportunity for all levels of government to collaborate with industry and community.

“We know there are many levels of investment in our region, and through this strategy, there can be a more co-ordinated approach across the Burnett Inland.

“As the region continues to experience drought, with floods and storms thrown in for good measure, effectively utilising our water and other natural resources will be critical, and we know our climate will influence our future investment.

“Stanwell has supported the design of this process, providing the opportunity for people to be involved, and now through the BBRF funding we can start on plans to have community conversations right cross the region.

“We are also seeking interest from people keen to lead community conversations during this next stage. RECF is leading the process (but) there will be many ways for people to be involved.

“There will be many ways to be part of the process, as individuals, community groups, businesses and stakeholders.

“People can register now on our website so we can keep them updated.”