Melton City Council is seeking $6.5 million in grants from the Victorian Government to help fund community projects including three new community centres with kindergartens, upgrades of playgrounds and the redevelopment of the animal pound.
"We know our community wants access to health and human services near to where they live. They also want quality open spaces that they can enjoy with their family and friends," City of Melton Mayor Cr Goran Kesic said.
"Council has made it our top priority in this grants round to apply for funding to help us finance new community centres with kindergartens because we know children are better prepared for school when they have the opportunity to go to kinder."
The Victorian Government's Growing Suburbs Fund supports the critical delivery of infrastructure and responds to the pressures experienced by fast-growing outer suburban areas like the City of Melton.
"Melton City Council has been successful in obtaining $41.8 million across eight rounds to support the delivery of a wide range of projects in both our established and new communities in growth areas and we have the best record in achieving the milestone commitments," Cr Kesic said.
"We look forward to learning the outcomes of our funding applications and hope to continue working with the State Government to deliver much-needed infrastructure for our fast-growing community."
The projects Council is applying for grants for are:
• Aintree Community Centre. This project will deliver a children and community centre providing families and children access to 3 and 4-year-old funded kindergarten.
• Plumpton Community Centre and Neighbourhood House. The Centre will provide a 3 and 4-year-old funded kindergarten for families in the area. As well, the facility will house Maternal and Child Health and Family and Early Childhood Services.
• Weir Views Community Centre. The Toolern Waters Children's and Community Centre will provide a 3 and 4-year-old funded kindergarten for families in the area. In addition, the facility will have Maternal and Child Health, Family and Early Childhood Services,
• Parks Development Program a. Barwon Street Reserve, Taylors Hill will see improvements to play areas, footpaths, picnic facilities and shade. b. Blackwood Drive Recreation Reserve, Melton South upgrade will improve the playground including upgrade of play equipment. c. Hillside Recreation Reserve Park and Play Space, Hillside, will be upgraded with new play equipment and tree planting to create extra shade.
• Melton Town Centre Kids Zone will provide a fun and engaging play space that will attract local children, families, and carers.
• Melton Animal Pound Stage 1. A livestock yard, increased cattery area and acoustic sound treatment for staffing areas to allow staff to operate in a safe environment.
The 2022/23 Growing Suburbs Fund will fund new, expanded or upgraded infrastructure projects within Melbourne's ten interface and six peri-urban councils.
All the projects listed will be subject to consultation with relevant stakeholders during the development of the design for each project.
The outcomes of the 2022-23 Growing Suburbs Fund applications will be announced by the State Government later this year.
