Broken Hill is the big winner in this latest round of funding, with Broken Hill City Council awarded more than $8.7 million to revitalise and activate the Central Business District.

This is something that council has been working towards for many years, and I'm so glad to have been able to secure this funding to make this project a reality.

The funding will be used to develop stage one of the community precinct, including a new library and community hub building, as well as the redevelopment of the existing library into an archive centre and installation of city wayfinding.

This is a big win for the local community, providing a CBD to be proud of and a real boost to tourism for this wonderful city.

Cooinda in Coonabarabran has also received more than $2.1 million to renovate its existing kitchen and construct a new laundry at the aged care facility.

Cooinda is a wonderful facility, and this upgrade will make life much easier for the hard-working staff, which in turn will have a significant impact on the quality of care provided to our elderly residents.

Gilgandra Shire Council was the third BBRF recipient, awarded $329,514 for its The Mill on Miller Street project which will revitalise the town centre and capitalise on under-utilised laneways to link up with the Castlereagh River.

It's so important that our small communities have vibrant main streets and I'm pleased that Gilgandra Shire Council will be able to undertake this project to boost community spirit and draw visitors to the town.

I'm excited that each of these projects has been given the green light and proud to be part of a Government that delivers for our community.

Applications are currently open for two grant opportunities to help strengthen remote Indigenous communities and businesses.

Community stores servicing remote Indigenous communities can apply for up to $500,000 to address food security risks under the $5 million Strengthening Remote Communities - Food Security Grant.

There are a number of stores in the Parkes electorate providing food and essential groceries to remote communities. While these stores provide a vital community service, they often face significant barriers such as poor road access, supply issues and inflated freight costs, which has been particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These grants will help fund projects to improve supply chain and distribution infrastructure, secure storage options and shop equipment reliability and performance. Applications close midday November 10.

Meanwhile, I encourage Indigenous agricultural, primary industry and land management businesses operating in our remote communities to apply for up to $300,000 in funding through the Indigenous Land Enterprise Infrastructure Fund.

These grants may be used for business-related projects such as off-grid solar power systems or upgrades to bores, fences, stock yards, water tanks, dam silt traps, sheds, or irrigation systems. Applications close on November 8.

For more information on both of these grants, visit GrantConnect at hwww.grants.gov.au/

The latest round of the Federal Government's Stronger and Resilient Communities (SARC) program is also now open for applications.

Grant funding is available to eligible organisations that are using community-driven solutions to help vulnerable Australians participate in their community, feel empowered and develop the skills to be self-reliant.

The SARC program will fund activities that support people with a disability or mental health illness, vulnerable women, unemployed people and youth aged 12 to 18 who are at risk of being disengaged and marginalised.

For more information or to apply, visit www.communitygrants.gov.au/grants/sarc-inclusive-communities-grants.