New fund for small towns

By Lachlan Ellis

Residents of towns with smaller populations often feel neglected in terms of government funding, but a new funding stream has been announced just for them.

The first round of the Tiny Towns Fund was announced last week, with the fund opening for applications on Monday 27 November.

Open to projects in communities with a population of 5,000 or less, the Tiny Towns Fund aims to bridge gaps in community infrastructure and facilities in Victoria’s smaller communities, build community pride, and enhance quality of life.

Member for Eureka Michaela Settle, who is also the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, said the Tiny Towns Fund was an exciting opportunity for groups in Moorabool Shire to get their fantastic ideas funded.

“The grant round is open until the end of February, but it is an ongoing program. We expect it to roll out over the next few years, so get onto it now but also think into the future. Why I’m so excited about this project is it’s really about the smaller communities, and often those communities find it harder to tap into grants and government funding,” Ms Settle told the Moorabool News.

“This is an opportunity for those smaller townships to come up with some great ideas to make what are gorgeous places, even better places to live. The sorts of things we can look at are anything from historicals through to walking tracks…it’s really about strengthening communities.”

The grants on offer are between $5,000 and $50,000, with applicants require to make a co-contribution towards the proposed project budget.

“Community groups can do it in combination with their local council, which would require a contribution from the local council, or they can do it if they’re an incorporated group themselves, but there is still a requirement for co-contribution,” Ms Settle explained.

“If it’s a rural council, which Moorabool Shire Council is, then there’s a 25 per cent co-contribution. If it’s a community group, it’s the same, however, 10 per cent of that can be in-kind.

“We’re aware that sometimes it can be daunting to apply for grants and so forth, so people can either contact my office on 5331 7722 for a bit of information, or we can help them to get in touch with Regional Development Victoria, and they’ll be there to talk people through the projects and how best to apply.”

More information on the Tiny Towns Fund can also be found on Regional Development Victoria’s website at www.rdv.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/tiny-towns-fund.