Groups to share in Tiny Towns grants

A TRIO of groups on the Bellarine are among the recipients in the latest round of the Victorian government’s Tiny Towns Fund, which supports community-building projects.

On Friday last week, Bellarine MP Alison Marchant announced three projects would be delivered through round 2 of the fund for Victorian towns with populations of fewer than 5,000 people.

They are:

• Bellarine Railway has received funding to restore carriages for improved accessibility
• Point Lonsdale Basketball Club has received funding towards resurfacing the basketball court at Point Lonsdale Primary School; and
• Bellarine Catchment network has received funding towards running programs to encourage and upskill volunteers in caring for coastal communities.

From walking track upgrades to community centre renovations, the grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 will help local communities across Victoria flourish and also, in many cases, support local workers during project development.

“Through the Tiny Towns Fund, we’re backing the big ideas in our smallest communities – revitalising spaces, strengthening local pride, and creating more opportunities for connection in our community,” Ms Marchant said.

Almost 350 projects are now being supported through round 1 and round 2 of the Tiny Towns Fund across more than 300 towns.

“Rural and regional Victoria has so much to offer, which is why we’re continuing to support projects that enhance our tiniest towns, strengthen community connections and encourage more visitors to all corners of the state,” Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes said.

“The Tiny Towns Fund is refreshing community halls, creating new walking tracks, upgrading local sporting facilities and boosting the regional art scene, making our smallest towns are great places to live, work, stay and play.”

For more information about the Tiny Towns Fund, head to rdv.vic.gov.au/tiny-towns-fund