LOCAL GRANTS SUPPORTING MELTON TO THRIVE

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting local councils and community groups to create better public spaces and improved streetscapes across the state.

Member for Melton Steve McGhie today announced applications are open in regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne for the Labor Government’s $20 million Living Local Fund.

The Fund is supporting a wide range of potential projects from upgraded halls to art installations and community gardens.

The Living Local Fund is part of the Government’s Our Regions and our Suburbs: Living Local Initiative and is designed to ensure local towns like Melton will have the infrastructure and equipment they need to continue to thrive.

Local councils and community organisations can apply for two types of grants:

• Grants between $20,000 to $200,000 will be available for infrastructure projects including new playgrounds and community gardens, splash pads, art installations and community halls upgrades,
• Grants between $2,000 to $20,000 will also be available for local councils and community organisations to undertake minor refurbishments, buy new equipment such as kitchen appliances, laptops and audio-visual equipment.

Through Metropolitan and Regional Partnerships, the community has advocated the importance of living locally. The Fund is designed to support a wide range of locally led projects and equipment purchases for community organisations to improve livability.

Projects in areas most impacted by the pandemic and projects that align with the Government’s 20-Minute neighbourhood principles will be given priority. The 20-Minute Neighbourhood principle aims to create local hubs where people can access services, like health facilities, parks and shops within a 20-minute walk from home.

The Living Local Fund grant applications are now open and will close on Sunday 14 August 2022. For more information visit djpr.vic.gov.au/living-local.

Quotes attributable to Member for Melton Steve McGhie:

“It’s great for our suburbs and regional towns to have even more of a chance to support their local communities to build stronger connections for the future.”

“The Living Local Fund is a great initiative to provide the infrastructure and equipment that our communities need, while supporting local jobs and the economy”