MORE SUPPORT ON THE WAY FOR VICTORIA’S TINY TOWNS
Big things are coming to Victoria’s tiniest towns with new support through the Allan Labor Government’s Tiny Towns Fund set to make our smallest communities even better places to live, work and visit.
Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas today welcomed the announcement that Round 2 of the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund will open for applications on Monday, 26 August.
Grants between $5,000 and $50,000 will be available through Regional Development Victoria to boost tourism, liveability 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 Tiny Towns Fund is already supporting more than 200 projects in 181 towns across regional Victoria and interface councils – with $7 million provided to projects that matter to local communities.
Round 1 had thirteen successful applications in the electorate of Macedon:
• Lyonville Hall Community Asset Committee received $50,000 for upgrades to the Lyonville Hall to improve accessibility and increase use
• Hepburn Shire Council received $44,970 for the installation of outdoor fitness equipment at the Trentham sports ground
• Hepburn Shire Council received $37,500 for the installation of an accessible equestrian mounting ramp, landing area and path at the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve
• Hepburn Shire Council received $50,000 for the development of a master plan for the Victoria Park Reserve in Daylesford
• Lancefield Park Recreation Reserve Committee of Management received $16,000 for an upgrade of the BMX track at the Lancefield Park Recreation Reserve.
• Kyneton District Business and Tourism Association received $10,000 for the development of a Town Centre Activation Plan for Malmsbury
• Macedon Ranges Halls Inc received $42,000 for the Lauriston Community Hall upgrades including landscaping, seating, car parking and play area
• Mount Alexander Shire Council received $50,000 for new playground equipment, BBQ, picnic table, and landscaping at the Fryerstown Public Park
• Malmsbury Fire Brigade received $29,104 for the installation of a community and visitor information screen at Malmsbury
• Macedon Community House received $38,840 for a community capacity building project for local horticulture and permaculture education
• Newham Mechanics Institute received $8,170 for flooring upgrades at the Mechanics Institute in Newham
• Tourism Macedon Ranges received $10,000 for the development of a Town Centre Activation Plan for Riddells Creek
• Mount Macedon Memorial Cross Reserve Committee of Management received m$50,000 for new interpretive facilities at the Mt Macedon Memorial Cross
The Tiny Towns Fund is backing stronger communities by enhancing local towns, boosting liveability and local jobs and creating more reasons for people to visit Victoria’s great regional towns.
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 come forward in this round.
The application process has also been updated 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
Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"The Tiny Towns Fund empowers small communities to thrive, ensuring projects that locals mare passionate about can become a reality. I’m looking forward to the tiny towns across the Macedon electorate stepping forward with great ideas for projects that celebrate community connection and ensure they continue to shine brightly as welcoming destinations for visitors.”
