Big things are coming to Victoria's tiniest towns with new support from the Allan Labor Government, making make our smallest communities even better places to live, work and visit.
Premier Jacinta Allan today announced a new round of the Labor Government's $20 million Tiny Towns Fund will open for applications on Monday, 26 August, with grants between $5,000 and $50,000 to boost tourism, livability and community pride in towns with up to 5,000 people.
From new barbecues, bike tracks and walking trails to club and community hall upgrades, the grants will support towns to bring to life projects that celebrate community spirit and make a positive difference to locals.
The first round of the Government's Tiny Towns Fund is already supporting more than 200 projects in 181 towns across regional Victoria and interface councils, backing stronger communities by enhancing local towns. The Fund boosts livability and local jobs and creates more reasons for people to visit Victoria's great regional towns.
In Mortlake in the Great South Coast region, the restoration of the Thomas Montgomery Pavilion will support more local events to uplift the town's identity and social scene.
In Glenrowan, we're adding to our investment that created the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub, with a $50,000 grant for an augmented reality experience that will immerse visitors in the stories of the Kelly Gang's final siege in 1880.
Townships that have not yet received a Tiny Towns grant, or that have worthy project ideas to boost community resilience, recovery and economic growth are encouraged to apply in this second round, with updates made to the application process to make it even easier for smaller, volunteer-run community groups to apply.
The fund is a part of the Labor Government's record $45 billion investment since 2014 in projects and programs that support regional and rural Victoria.
For more information visit rdv.vic.gov.au/tinytownsfund or suburbandevelopment.vic.gov.au/grants/tiny-towns-fund
As stated by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan
"Supporting projects that make small communities great is one of the ways we encourage their vibrancy, making them even better places to visit and live."
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney
"Now we're giving more tiny towns a chance to make their own projects a reality - creating local jobs, boosting economies and attracting more visitors to experience our great regional towns."
As stated by Minister for the Suburbs Sonya Kilkenny
"Whether it's upgrades to local sporting facilities, playgrounds or halls - we're investing in the projects that communities are asking for to ensure our outer suburbs remain great places to live, work and play."
