Tiny towns set for boost

SMALLER localities in Victoria are now able to apply for State Government funding to go towards local projects.

Known as the Tiny Towns Fund, the grant program aims to encourage community groups to showcase their ideas and could provide small communities with financial support.

The grants will range from $5000 to $50,000 and applications are open to groups, organisations, and municipalities in towns with less than 5000 people.

Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle, was in Meredith last Saturday visiting local community groups to celebrate the announcement.

“It’s recognising that small towns often don’t fall into traditional funding streams,” she said.

“It runs for four years, so they’ll be yearly rounds with the first one closing at the end of February.”

Regional Development Victoria will also be providing support for groups in writing their application.

“We’re all so aware that lots of smaller communities may not have experience so there is support there for them as well,” said Ms Settle.

The community has already started thinking of projects a grant could be put towards including signage, a bus stop or updates to walking tracks.

President of the Meredith History Interest Group, Margaret Cooper, said the ever-expanding club needs more room.

“We try and put history out into the community so more people get to know us and we’re getting more members,” she said.

“We’re desperate for more storage because people keep giving us stuff.”

The fund was officially launched last week by Minister for Regional Development, Gayle Tierney.

She visited the town of Talbot to tour of the Talbot Arts and Historical Museum which received a grant last year to transform the space.

“Whether it’s renovating a much-loved attraction, creating a new hiking trail or adding a splash park, our investment will support local businesses and jobs and attract more visitors to our tiny towns,” said Ms Tierney.

“There are vibrant tiny towns dotted right across regional Victoria and we’re pleased to support them through this exciting new fund.”

It is hoped the funding will encourage the building of more community facilities including trails, splash parks and playgrounds or upgrades to halls and libraries.