The Allan Labor Government is making our growing suburbs even better places to live with a new round of funding to deliver the infrastructure and services Victorians need - close to home.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny today opened applications for the latest round of Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) which will invest $150 million to deliver transport projects including more bus services, train stations, intersections, roads, bike paths and walking paths in our suburbs.
Government departments, agencies, and local councils will be able to apply for this round of grants to ensure communities in growing suburbs have access to the services they need, close to where they live.
The GAIC fund is a one-off contribution payable by landowners developing certain land zoned for urban use and development in the Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Whittlesea and Wyndham local government areas.
To date, the program has provided more than $1 billion in funding for more than 150 infrastructure projects across these growth areas - including for ambulance stations, parks, schools and public transport.
This includes projects like $60 million to deliver a critical road link for the Ison Road Overpass in Werribee, $35 million towards a new school in Cobblebank, and more than $150 million for new bus services across Melbourne's north, west and south east.
These projects are delivered for residents in the seven Local Government Areas where the contributions are collected. This kind of scheme does not exist elsewhere in the state in any consistent way - and many other growing communities like inner-suburbs close to public transport have been missing out.
That's why the Labor Government will create a better, fairer system for property developers to contribute to funding for local infrastructure and services in the areas where they build more homes. See more at premier.vic.gov.au.
Applications for this GAIC round are now open and will close at noon on 28 February 2025. Successful projects will be confirmed and announced next year.
As stated by Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny
"We know more Victorians want to live close to transport - and this investment will deliver the public transport, the roads, and critical infrastructure Victorian families need in our fastest growing suburbs."
"We're also ensuring that places where homes get built - get the infrastructure they need through a fairer system that applies to every city, suburb and town across the state."
