Media Release: Stronger Communitiies Programme Round 10 Open.
The Hon Barnaby Joyce MP Member for New England
MEDIA RELEASE
28 September 2026
Stronger Communities Programme Round 10. Grants To Cover Up To 100% Of Project Costs But Expressions Of Interest Close Shortly (5 pm Friday, 23 October 2026.)
Federal Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce has welcomed Round 10 of the Stronger Communities Programme. Grant recipients will be covered for up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs except for local governing bodies where grant funding will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs.
A maximum of 20 projects will be funded in each electorate, with successful projects receiving a grant of between a minimum of $2,500 and a maximum of $20,000 for projects not exceeding a total cost of $50,000.
Mr Joyce is calling on local councils and community organisations across the New England to start preparing applications for projects to receive a share in $150,000 of an overall $22.5million in total funding nationally.
“The last round of this program was extremely popular as always, so I’m pleased that Community Groups in the New England will have an opportunity to apply for funding again.”
Stronger Communities Programme Round 9 Successful Applicants included:
Walcha and District Historical Society Incorporated
Tamworth Regional Craft Centre Inc
Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre Incorporated
New England Railway Incorporated
Sunnyfield
North, West, Slopes and Plains Mountain Bikers Inc
Bolivia Progress Association Incorporated
Inverell & District Soccer Association
Uralla Historical Society Inc
Inverell Community Radio Incorporated
Merriwa and District Rescue Squad Inc
Tamworth Junior Riding Pony Club
Legacy Club Services
School of Arts Tenterfield Incorporated
“Regional Australians deserve the same opportunities that people in metropolitan cities have, and the Stronger Communities Programme helps make this happen,” Mr Joyce said.
“It is important that we fund not only the big infrastructure projects but the smaller ones too because local organisations are vital to the fabric of our local communities here in the New England,” he said.
To register your interest in applying for a grant, visit barnabyjoyce.com.au to download an Expression of Interest form and lodge with Mr Joyce’s office by 5pm Friday, 23 October, 2026. For more information, including eligibility and grant guidelines, visit: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-communities-programme-round-10
ENDS
Media Contact: 0476 052 644