Deadline Date: February 24, 2026
The NSW Government is seeking grant applications to support infrastructure and enabling works in exposed and vulnerable southern Basin communities, aiming to drive economic growth and improve workforce participation.
The NSW Sustainable Communities Program is offering a $70 million Economic Development and Infrastructure Round to invest in critical infrastructure that unlocks industrial development and economic opportunities while delivering lasting benefits and supporting future economic growth.
The program focuses on funding infrastructure and enabling works in exposed and vulnerable NSW southern Basin communities to support economic growth and improve workforce participation. Its objectives include investing in region-based infrastructure and assets that benefit multiple users or industries and provide broad economic benefits, unlocking land for industry and housing or creating new economic opportunities for local communities, and investing in infrastructure that supports growing populations to enable people to continue living and working locally.
Eligible projects must enable economic development, growth, or improved workforce participation and deliver enduring benefits to southern Basin communities. Project types include economic infrastructure and assets, such as logistics hubs, processing facilities, freight modals, or research and development facilities that benefit multiple industries. Critical land development enabling works cover projects like access roads, installation of services infrastructure, and other works to deliver serviced land and accelerate business, industry, or housing development. Sustainable community infrastructure projects aim to address liveability challenges and service gaps, supporting new or expanded childcare, aged care, or community services to encourage growth and renewal in Basin communities.
Applicants eligible for funding include NSW local councils, joint or regional council organisations, Australian universities, incorporated companies, trusts with a corporate trustee, incorporated associations, co-operatives, registered charities, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations, and Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations. Applicants must hold an ABN, demonstrate financial viability, maintain or commit to adequate public liability insurance, be a fit and proper entity, not be insolvent or subject to legal proceedings, and provide evidence of previous project delivery experience along with the capacity to make the minimum co-contribution.
Eligible locations for the program include Balranald, Berrigan, Carrathool, Edward River, Federation, Griffith, Hay, Leeton, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, and Wentworth, focusing on supporting regional growth and resilience through strategic infrastructure investment.
For more information, visit the NSW Government.
