Deadline shifted for troubled Tiny Towns

THE deadline for applications for the third round of the Victoria government’s $20 million Tiny Towns Fund has been extended by four weeks as part of a broader response to support communities affected by the recent bushfires and floods.

Grants of between $5000 and $50,000 are available to Victorian towns with populations of under 5000 people for projects that provide more opportunities to connect, attract visitors, improve facilities and deliver infrastructure upgrades.

“These past weeks have seen great heartbreak and destruction across our regions, so we’re extending the Tiny Towns funding application period to give regional communities more time to finalise their applications,” Minister for Regional Development, Jaclyn Symes, said.

Eligible projects could possibly involve improvements to local parks, playgrounds, or community spaces, initiatives that celebrate culture and heritage, activities that strengthen community connections, and small-scale infrastructure that benefits residents.

There were 159 successful applicants in round two of the program, constituting projects totalling over $5.1 million.

These included funding for a mural on one of the tallest grain silos in Victoria in Waaia, which commissioned an artist to complete the work, a public environmental art space at Willaura near the Grampians, and upgrading The Daisy Hill Community Centre in the Central Goldfields.

The Tiny Towns Fund is a part of a $47 billion investment over the past decade in projects and programs that support regional and rural Victoria.

Applications, which can be submitted through the Regional Victoria website, will now close at 4pm on March 4. Head to rdv.vic.gov.au/tiny-towns-fundrdv.vic.gov.au/tiny-towns-fund.