Growing Suburbs Fund expanded to include Surf Coast

THE state government’s Growing Suburbs Fund has been expanded to include the Surf Coast Shire to support the area’s growing needs.
The $25 million expansion of the fund will bring forward delivery of new local facilities and upgrades including libraries, parks, playground, community centres and sporting facilities.
South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman announced the expansion of the fund into one of the municipalities in his electorate last week.
The Growing Suburbs Fund was previously only available to Melbourne’s 10 interface councils, but now includes six peri-urban councils experiencing strong population growth.
As well as the Surf Coast Shire, the five other councils that now have access to the fund are Golden Plains, Baw Baw, Macedon Ranges, Moorabool and Bass Coast.
The expansion of the fund will drive jobs and investment in more communities hit hard by restrictions put in place to slow the spread of coronavirus and save lives.
It complements the Victorian Government’s $2.7 billion Building Works Package, which includes
over $278 million in shovel-ready infrastructure projects across the state to be delivered
through councils.
“I encourage Surf Coast Shire council to apply, so their local communities get the facilities they need and deserve,” Mr Cheeseman said.
“Expanding the Growing Suburbs Fund to Surf Coast Shire is a great example of how we are delivering for all Victorians and ensuring that services are well-equipped and in the right place.”
Together, the interface and peri urban councils now eligible for the fund are home to 30.4 per cent of Victoria’s population, or 2.7 million people.
Since its establishment in 2015, the Growing Suburbs Fund has facilitated $665.7 million in local facilities, created more than 6,750 jobs created and supported 193 projects.
Applications for the expanded Growing Suburbs Fund opened on June 9 and eligible councils have been encouraged to apply at localgovernment.vic.gov.au.