Group get new equipment through Living Local Fund

THE Bellarine Training and Community Hub (BTACH) and the St Leonards Men’s Shed will get new equipment in the latest round of the state government’s Living Local Fund.

Announced by Bellarine MP Lisa Neville last week, the grants will see BTACH get $6,476 to replace broken furniture and the St Leonard’s Men’s Shed get $5,230 for a new woodworking machine.

The BTACH, located in Ocean Grove, will purchase tables in their community kitchen and replace moveable tables for the classroom focused on art, language and general interest programs.

The St Leonards Mens shed will purchase a thicknesser with improved technology – the new machine is 60 per cent wider and has new blade technology that makes it very quiet, replacing a small old noisy machine.

“The government is supporting the Bellarine Training and Community Hub with the purchase of this furniture as we know the community deserves our support,” Ms Neville said.

More than 400 projects across the state will be supported through the fund, with $15 million available for suburban projects and another $5 million for the regions.

Local councils and community organisations have received grants of up to $200,000 for upgrades to shopping strips, playgrounds, community gardens and public art projects, or to buy new equipment or carry out minor refurbishment works.

“We’re doing what matters by investing in infrastructure that our local communities need to enjoy the services they deserve,” Minister for Suburban Development, Melissa Horne said.

“Our suburbs and regions are great places to live, work and play and we’re making sure they stay that way.”

The Living Local Fund is part of the state government’s Our Suburbs: Living Local and Our Regions: Living Local initiatives.

The Living Local – Regional Grants Program is a competitive grants program open to eligible rural and regional local governments and incorporated (not-for-profit) organisations/associations.

Applicants may seek a minimum of $20,000 and maximum of $200,000 (exclusive of GST).

The Living Local – Regional Community Grants Program is open to applications from not-for-profit and charity organisations that are operating in rural and regional Victoria.

Community organisations can seek between $2,000 and $20,000 (exclusive of GST) of grant funding for eligible equipment and minor refurbishments.

For more information, head to suburbandevelopment.vic.gov.au/living-local