Small regional communities have been given more time to apply for funding to support local improvement projects.
Applications for Round 3 of the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund were extended by four weeks and will now close at 4pm on Wednesday 4 March.
Grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 are available to towns with fewer than 5,000 residents for projects that improve community connections, attract visitors, upgrade facilities and deliver small-scale infrastructure.
The extension forms part of broader recovery efforts to support communities impacted by bushfires and floods.
More than $100 million in recovery payments, grants and initiatives have been announced by the Federal and Victorian governments. Information on emergency recovery support is available at vic.gov.au.
The Tiny Towns Fund is part of a $47 billion investment in regional and rural Victoria over the past decade, supporting local infrastructure, services and community development.
Applications can be submitted at rdv.vic.gov.au/tiny-towns-fund.
Victorian Minister for Regional Development, Jaclyn Symes, said the extension would help communities finalise strong applications.
“These past weeks have seen great heartbreak and destruction across our regions, so extending the application period gives communities more time to prepare their proposals,” Symes said.
Victorian Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts, Harriet Shing, said the program helped strengthen regional communities.
“The Tiny Towns program supports families and communities by creating facilities and spaces that encourage pride in place,” Shing said.
