Shire joins funding stream for peri urban growth club

BOOMING population growth in the south east of Golden Plains Shire has seen the municipality included in a select group of local government areas able to access money from the State government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.

The fund includes a pool of $25 million for infrastructure projects like parks, playgrounds, community centres and sporting facilities.

Previously only 10 municipalities on the fridge of Melbourne have been able to access the fund.

“Golden Plains is growing fast and it’s great to see communities in Golden Plains receive the same support as the inner city,” said Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle.

“Improving our local facilities is vital for our growing community, ensuring services are appropriately equipped and in the right place.”

All six municipalities in what’s known as the Peri Urban Group of Rural Councils, or PUGRC, have been included in the fund.

Along with Golden Plains the other local government areas are Moorabool, Bass Coast, Surf Coast, Baw Baw and Macedon Ranges shires.

The peri urban areas around the state’s biggest cities, including Geelong and Ballarat, are booming at the moment, with Golden Plans currently the fifth fastest growing local government area in Victoria.

Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey welcomed the announcement and said work though PUGRC has paid off.

“Council is very pleased that after more than a year of active lobbying with the Peri Urban Group of Rural Councils, Golden Plains Shire has been recognised by the Victorian Government and will now be eligible for valuable investment under its Growing Suburbs Fund,” he said.

“Golden Plains Shire Council is a founding member of the Peri Urban Group of Rural Councils.

“Bordering Geelong in the south and Ballarat in the north, we share a common bond with the peri urban councils and it’s critically important that we advocate as one voice for greater investment and support for our communities as we experience significant growth from our neighbouring cities.”

Applications for project funding under the expanded Growing Suburbs program opened on 9 June, and Cr Sharkey said the Shire will be aiming to take advantage of the opportunity.

“Following this exciting announcement, council looks forward to assessing potential community infrastructure projects and moving forward to secure Growing Suburbs funding in the future for the benefit of existing and new residents in Golden Plains,” he said.

A State government spokesperson said that since the fund was set up in 2015 it’s handed out $665.7 million to local governments, supporting 193 projects and creating 6750.

In addition to the inclusion in the Growing Suburbs Fund it was also announced that all rural councils in the state, including Golden Plains Shire, are to get $100,000 for improved IT infrastructure.