Victorian councils can now apply for the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, which is offering $50 million in funding to help transform communities with valuable infrastructure.
The Growing Suburbs Fund is available to Melbourne’s ten interface and six peri-urban councils, and aims to deliver more playgrounds, parks and community centres to help transform communities
Victorian Minister for Local Government,Shaun Leane, announced applications are now open, with the funding announced in the Victorian Budget 2022/23.
“We are creating the vital facilities and infrastructure that communities in our fastest growing areas need,” Cr Leane said.
“Victorians in our fastest growing suburbs deserve to have spaces and facilities to help them develop new connections that will support wellbeing and help strengthen communities as they continue to grow.”
The 2022 Budget continues to strengthen communities by investing in projects tailored to local areas, while also providing an economic boost across the state, as Victoria responds to the ongoing impacts of the pandemic.
Previous investments from the Fund include the newly opened Golden Plains Youth Hub in Bannockburn. Backed by $270,000, the Golden Plains Shire Council has transformed the site into a purpose-built and welcoming space for young people from across the shire to gather and create new social connections.
The Fund also provided Casey City Council with $3.3 million in funding for the Cranbourne North Active Open Space Reserve, which features three football pitches, a cricket oval, flood lights, a playground, cricket nets and public art.
With unisex and fully accessible change rooms, a community room and kitchen, the facility will be inclusive for women and people of all abilities once completed.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will soon open the Somerville Active Recreation Hub, after receiving $742, 500 from the Fund, with the free community space featuring a new skate-park and parkour equipment.
Since being established in 2015, the Fund has now invested a total of $425 million to support more than 300 projects and helped create more than 10,000 jobs.
Applications are now open and for more information, visit here.
