Tiny towns in Victoria have been given an extra month to apply for a funding grant to upgrade facilities.
Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes says that applications for a third round of grants from the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund have been extended by four weeks.
Applications will now close at 4pm on Wednesday, March 4.
Grants of between $5000 to $50,000 will be awarded to towns with fewer than 5000 residents in the state’s 48 local government areas (LGAs) to fund projects that improve social life, attract visitors, improve facilities or upgrade infrastructure.
Eligibility also extends to alpine resorts and towns in 10 outer metropolitan LGAs on Melbourne’s outskirts such as Mornington Peninsula, Cardina Shire, Yarra Ranges Shire and Whittlesea City Council, the government says.
TINY TOWNS EXTENSION
“These past weeks have seen great heartbreak and destruction across our regions so we’re extending the funding application period to give regional communities more time to finalise their applications,” Symes says.
Development Victoria and Precincts Minister Harriet Shing says the grant “is all about helping families and communities to connect by creating facilities and spaces that encourage pride in place”.
Projects funded last year include $50,000 (individually) to upgrade Apollo Bay’s vacant preschool building, visitor facilities at Benambra and Birchip’s art silo project.
The extension is part of a $100 million state-federal response to recent bushfire and flood disasters to help with recovery payments, grants and initiatives.
To learn more about emergency recovery support, visit www.vic.gov.au.
The Fund is part of $47 billion in spending on projects and programs for rural Victoria over the last 10 years, the state government says.
Applications for a grant can be submitted at rdv.vic.gov.au/tiny-towns-fund.
For general enquiries, contact Regional Development Victoria’s customer contact centre on 1800 878 969.
Their operating hours are 9am-5pm Mondays to Fridays.
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