The Victorian Government has made $20 million available to local councils and community groups through its Local Living Fund, which aims to create better public spaces and improved streetscapes across the state.
Minister for Suburban Development, Melissa Horne, and Minister for Regional Development, Harriet Shing, visited the Clarke Street Park in West Footscray to announce applications are now open for the Living Local Fund.
“I’m delighted to support our regional communities at a time of significant growth and opportunity, thanks to our Living Local Fund,” Ms Shing said.
The Living Local Fund is part of the Victorian Government’s Our Suburbs and Our Regions: Living Local Initiative and is designed to ensure local communities have the infrastructure and equipment they need to continue to thrive.
“Our Living Local Fund is all about supporting communities to continue to thrive, providing them with the facilities and infrastructure they need,” Ms Horne said.
“This program is a great opportunity for us to work closely with community councils and local businesses to create more jobs, improve connections and support local economies.”
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, and 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 those that align with the Victorian Government’s 20-Minute neighbourhood principle 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.
Member for Footscray, Katie Hall, said, “From roof repairs to streetscape upgrades, the Living Local Fund is another way that we are helping suburbs and regional towns to prosper and grow.”
The Living Local Fund grant applications are now open and will close on Sunday 14 August 2022.
