“Our vision is that the Launceston community play an active part in making Greater Launceston one of the great regional cities of the world; a city that is appealing, friendly, prosperous and accessible.”

YOU can help Launceston become one of the GREAT regional cities of the world!

Our city has a lot to be proud of. We have many fantastic natural and built assets. We are blessed with many great facilities and businesses, and lest we forget, we are home to a wonderful and diverse mix of people.

Yet we have an underperforming economy and high levels of community disadvantage.

The Great Regional City Challenge Inc has a Vision that the community can work together to make Launceston one of the great regional cities of the world; a region that is appealing, friendly, prosperous and accessible.

Since 2020 the Great Regional City Challenge has provided over $500,000 in cash and support to projects.

In April 2024, the Great Regional City Challenge held Ideas Sessions in the CBD, north, south, east and west Launceston to get the community’s ideas on Quick Wins and Great City Projects that will help make Launceston one of the Great Regional Cities of the World.

New in 2024!

Community Ideas Sessions for hands-on local change

Thank you to everyone who joined us in the Ideas Sessions in April 2024!

It was a wonderful chance with other local doers to brainstorm how your suburb could be  more appealing, friendly, prosperous and accessible.

Thanks to our session hosts the Royal Oak Hotel, Riverside Golf Club, Launceston Preparatory School, Northern Suburbs Community Centre and Kings Meadows Hotel.

What is the Great City Ideas Bank?

 The Great City Ideas Bank is the collection of ideas that came from creative sessions held in local community areas.

The focus is on what we can do to make our suburb more appealing, friendly, prosperous and accessible – working with other motivated locals who are prepared to roll their sleeves up to make it happen.

Funding and support for projects, including these ideas, is available from City of Launceston Community and Events Grants and from the annual round of Great Regional City Challenge funds .

Mentoring and assistance with developing the ideas will also be provided if needed. Reach out by sending a message to us using the BE IN THE KNOW tab at the bottom of this page

Get involved

How can you bring these ideas to life?

What happens with the ideas?

The collated ideas will also be made available to the 50-60 people from across Launceston who are invited to a one day Launceston Challenge Day on Sunday 4th August.

They will creatively identify the top Quick Win and Great City Projects in the themes of:

  • People and place - how can we make this a city where people are connected, welcomed and recognised in a place which is accessible, appealing and inviting

  • Thriving economy -  how can we make this a city where new businesses can get a start and where existing businesses can thrive

  • Welcoming Visitors -  how can we make this a city where visitors are greeted, engaged and have memorable experiences

  • Diverse and inclusive -  how can we make this a city where people of diverse backgrounds and origins are welcomed and where people with challenges are included and engaged


A media call-out (TV, The Examiner, radio, publicity and social media) in early 2025 will invite project groups to submit pre-existing or new Great City project ideas through the 2025 GRCC process.

Then the wider Launceston community votes online in May- June, 2025 to select projects to be funded.

Funded projects get underway from 1 July 2025 continuing through to June 20, 2026.

We wish to acknowledge the role Ruddicks Chartered Accountants have played in the establishment and ongoing support of the Great Regional City Challenge.  In July 2019 on hearing of the concept of the GRCC, Bob Ruddick pro bono committed the resources of Ruddicks to set up the corporate framework for GRCC including the exhausting process of gaining charity status for the business.  

Ruddicks have been a financial contributor to GRCC during all of its fundraising rounds.  During those years they have also ensured GRCC has maintained all its statutory requirements under the Australian Charities & Not-For Profits Commission legislation.  Ruddicks have recently on a pro bono basis taken on the bookkeeping role to oversee all income and expenditure of GRCC.