Minister for Agriculture, Food and Regional Economies Tim Mulherin has announced round three of the Queensland Government's $2 million Building Rural Communities Fund (BRCF) will open on June 17.

Mr Mulherin said round three will provide one-off grants of up to $10,000 for projects that will improve the economic, social, cultural and environmental capacity of communities in Blueprint for the Bush regions.

"This includes projects that attract investment and skilled workers; environmental management activities; plans for development of local sporting facilities or to engage volunteers; and events that celebrate a cultural or community milestone," he said.

"This funding initiative over two years is just one example of how the Bligh Government is investing in the future of regional Queensland and delivering for local communities so they can develop their economic, social, environmental and cultural capacity. We want to create regions where people want to live, work and raise a family," Mr Mulherin said.

101 organisations across Queensland have so far shared in $849,817 in funding under rounds one and two of the BRCF.

Mr Mulherin said some of the successful applications from round one and two include:

• $10,000 for the Taroom District Development Association Inc to attract greater number of visitors to the Dawson River and river towns; and

• $9,800 to the FNQ Volunteers Inc to establish a Volunteer Alert system to allow managers of volunteers in rural and regional communities to contact and mobilise volunteers via SMS in the event of a natural disaster.

"To be considered for funding under round three of the BRCF projects must directly benefit a Blueprint for the Bush community and projects must also align with at least one of the four Blueprint for the Bush goals - Sustainability, Liveability, Prosperity and Service Delivery," he said.

"The Blueprint for the Bush includes communities outside South-East Queensland (excluding the major regional centres), communities west of the Great Dividing Range, small communities east of the range, and those in Cape York and Torres Strait.

"Eligible organisations must either be an incorporated, not-for-profit organisation (or sponsored unincorporated not-for-profit organisation), a local government entity or a Regional and Remote Area Development Organisation.

"I encourage all eligible organisations to submit applications for projects that will help to create more sustainable and prosperous rural and remote communities in Queensland."

Round three of the BRCF will remain open until 5pm on 29 July 2011.

The Building Rural Communities Fund is administered by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) through the Rural and Regional Queensland Unit, and is supported by a network of DEEDI Regional Offices outside South-East Queensland.

More information including access to the funding guidelines, application form and DEEDI regional contacts, is available at www.regions.qld.gov.au under Rural and Regional Queensland, or by contacting DEEDI on 13 25 23.

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