In response to YANQ's letter outlining issues raised via the YCN during 2006, the Federal Dept. of Transport & Regional Services provided the following information regarding policy development and funding opportunities among others...

Department of Transport and Regional Services Activities

As at 1 March 2007

Area Consultative Committees (ACCs)

Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) are non-profit, community-based organisations funded by the Australian Government. Funding is administered by the Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS).

Currently, there are 56 ACCs across Australia serving rural, regional, remote and metropolitan communities. The national network effectively covers the whole of Australia.

ACCs position themselves as key regional stakeholders to build networks and partnerships to find local solutions to local problems. Through these networks, ACCs promote and disseminate information on Government priorities and programmes for the benefit of business and the community.

Each ACC works within the priority areas identified in the Charter for the National Network of ACCs and in accordance with a Statement of Priorities issued on behalf of the Australian Government by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services. One of the current priorities focuses on young people aged 18-35. An effective method for young people to become involved in their local communities is through their local ACCs.

You can contact your local ACC by visiting www.acc.gov.au. 

Regional Partnerships Programme

The Regional Partnerships programme is an Australian Government initiative supporting the development of self-reliant communities. The Regional Partnerships programme funds projects that help communities:

• provide opportunities for economic and social participation,
• improve access to services,
• plan their futures, and
• make structural adjustments.
  

The programme also provides a framework for delivering Australian Government assistance under the: 

• Rural Medical Infrastructure Fund, and
• Community Adjustment Assistance element of the Textiles, Clothing and Footwear Structural Adjustment Programme.

For example, the Regional Partnerships programme has provided funding for communities to purchase buses for public transport across local areas. Other youth related projects have included funding for youth cafes and driving programmes. For example, funding has been provided for the construction of the Narooma youth cafe as an extension to the existing Narooma library. It is envisioned that a range of activities will be run from the youth cafe including programmes for youth to develop practical work skills to enhance their employment opportunities, such as media studies, and joint projects with community groups such as community art and gardening. In Kyogle, funding has also been provided for the purchase, insurance and maintenance of a second hand vehicle to be used as a learner driver vehicle. This project will match learner drivers with licensed supervisors and expects to lead to better attitudes to driving as well as improved access to life choices through mentoring between the older supervisors and young people.

Most organisations are eligible to apply for funding under the Regional Partnerships programme. The Regional Partnerships programme does not have 'rounds of funding'. Applications can be made at any time.

Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) around Australia help applicants develop and submit applications. Applicants are strongly encouraged to involve their ACC in the development of their project proposal and application.

For more information on the Regional Partnerships programme please contact your local ACC or visit www.regionalpartnerships.gov.au.

Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) 

The FRRR is a philanthropic foundation, with an independent board, to help provide a viable social and economic future for Australia's rural and regional communities. It aims to encourage innovative collaboration between business, community and government in philanthropic endeavours that will boost the economic and social well-being of regional Australia.

The FRRR was established through the support of the Sidney Myer Fund ($1 million) and the Australian Government through the Department of Transport and Regional Services. 

The Australian Government is providing up to $3.8 million until 2008-2009 to match contributions from the business, government and community sectors. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible. The FRRR also has key funding partnerships with The Pratt Foundation, ANZ, the Gardiner Foundation, Bendigo Bank's Community Enterprise Foundation and Rural Education Programme Founding Donors, Sarah & Baillieu Myer, Tim & Gina Fairfax, John & Janet Calvert-Jones and a large number of private trusts and foundations.

The Foundation sets out to achieve its objectives in a variety of ways including funding projects that have the potential to achieve significant results for people within rural and regional Australia. The Foundation also administers a number of small grants programmes, which have developed to help rural and remote communities with small, well-targeted grants. This programme is aimed at (but not limited to) communities with a population of 10,000 or less and provides small grants up to $5,000 or $10,000. 

The Foundation's Community Foundations Kit for Australian Communities 2nd Edition provides useful tools for community leaders who want to create and develop a community foundation in their community. The Foundation can also provide funds for feasibility studies and the establishment of community foundations.

Further details about FRRR can be obtained from www.frrr.org.au. 

Novice Driver Programme

Direct responsibility for road safety education and driver licensing rests with individual state and territory governments. However, the Australian Government has identified a particular need to provide inexperienced drivers with educational support after they obtain their provisional licences. This is based on research showing that young drivers are especially vulnerable in their first year of P-plate driving. 

The Australian Government is presently working with the NSW and Victorian governments to develop and trial an education programme specially designed to deal with the risks faced by newly-licensed drivers. This programme is underpinned by extensive research on the specific risks faced by young drivers in their first year of P-plate driving. It is expected that the trial course will be delivered to about 14,000 young drivers during 2008, with a similar number of drivers participating in a control group. Both groups will be monitored for a further 12 months so that the safety effects of the programme can be fully evaluated. If the trial proves successful, the states and territories will be encouraged to introduce a compulsory education programme for all new P-plate drivers. 

ABC Radio Heywire Programme

The Department of Transport and Regional Services is a joint sponsor of the ABC's Heywire programme, which offers regional and rural youth between the ages of 16 and 22 a ‘voice' on a broad range of issues. Applicants submit a script for a non-fiction, three-minute radio story which draws upon life in regional and rural Australia. Winners are chosen from each of the ABC Radio regions across Australia. Winners have their entry recorded and produced by the ABC so that it can be broadcasted nationally on ABC Radio and published on ABC Online.

The Heywire programme offers winners the opportunity to attend the Heywire Youth Issues Forum in Canberra. The annual week-long forum offers participants: leadership, team-work and presentation experiences; opportunities to voice issues and engage in discussion; exposure to the workings of the Australian Government; and networking opportunities with Ministers and Department representatives.

Further details about Heywire can be obtained from www.abc.net.au/heywire.

Australian Rural Leadership Programme (ARLP)

The ARLP is an 18 month programme conducted by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation (ARLF) to identify, develop and support rural and regional leaders. Each course is made up of 30-35 participants who are selected via a competitive process. The ARLP is funded by sponsorships. DOTARS sponsors a rural woman in an industry or community leadership position. DOTARS has funded this scholarship since Course 12 (2005-06) and is committed to its funding until Course 15 (2008-09).

Further details about the ARLP can be obtained from www.rural-leaders.com.au.

National Awards for Local Government 

The National Awards for Local Government (NALG) is an Australian Government initiative established in 1986 to foster and acknowledge innovation, excellence and continuous improvement in the Local Government sector. 

There are a number of category awards. In 2006, DOTARS sponsored Category Awards in Asset Management, Efficiency Improvement, Increasing Women's Participation, and Innovation in Regional Development. 

Further details about the ARLP can be obtained from www.dotars.gov.au/local/awards.

Department of Transport and Regional Services Research 

DOTARS has a range of publications on various aspects of the Department including current and existing programmes, and research undertaken by the Department. These publications and research can be accessed at www.dotars.gov.au/utilities/publications.aspx.

Regional Entry Point

The Regional Entry Point website contains links to information about a range of Australian Government programmes and services for individuals, families, communities, farms and businesses in rural, regional and remote Australia. Please visit www.regionalaustralia.gov.au.

Alternatively, an operator from the Australian Government Regional Information Service (AGRIS) is also available to assist with queries. Free call 1800 026 222 (9am to 6pm Monday-Friday, AEST). A hard copy directory, the Australian Government Regional Information Directory (AGRID), is also available on request. In 2007, with the launch of the next edition of the AGRID, the Australian Government is marking the twentieth anniversary of the Service.

A further service, Grantslink, provides information on available funding from all sources, including state governments. Please visit www.grantslink.gov.au.

Australian Outback Development Consortium - Year of the Outback

The Australian Outback Development Consortium (AODC) has been approved for funding of up to $528,000 (GST inclusive). The funding is for the Year of the Outback 2010 - Planning for Four Yearly Cycle project.

DOTARS funding will enable the AODC to plan their activities as well as initiate and progress many of their programmes which are aimed at benefiting youth such as:

• Outback Global: This project involves establishing a continuing campaign to recognise Australia's skills and capabilities to assist in sustainable economic development and attract trade delegations and tourists.
  
  The intention is to form an Outback Global Investment Trading and Tourism Taskforce comprising representatives from a range of areas, including youth organisations, the 3 tiers of government and the Australian Council of Agricultural Societies.

• Outback Equinox - Youth Muster: This project is specifically identified with youth. Its object it to link youth with Australia's heartland and ongoing career opportunities. The name derives from the Vernal Equinox: spring and a time of youth. The Outback Equinox will be held in an appropriate location identified with the Outback e.g. Broken Hill.
  
  Activities will include: youth orchestra, youth choir, outback animals in action (e.g. horses and riders); a parade with floats featuring a range of organisations e.g. rural youth organisations, Schools of Distance Education and Royal Flying Doctor Service; a seminar or conference focused on Career Opportunities in the Outback; and an Aboriginal Firelighting Ceremony.

• Outback Safety Education Campaign: This project is aimed at Australians who live in or travel to rural and remote areas and people from those areas who visit the coast. They will be provided with the latest and most comprehensive array of safety teachings on how to avoid risk and assist others who are in danger.
  
  A range of organisations is expected to be involved e.g. the Royal Life Saving Society, St John Ambulance and the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

• Outback Youth Careers Programme: This is a continuation of the national Youth Infront report co-ordinated with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). This report is expected to be launched in late March 2007.
  
  It is intended to network with youth groups and others on the report findings and develop activities in keeping with findings such as employment opportunities in rural Australia; and rural education availability and needs.