THE Allan Labor Government is backing more community-led projects in South Gippsland tiny towns, with more than 200 new initiatives statewide set to make our smallest communities even better places to live, work, stay and play.
Today, member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh announced that 13 groups in South Gippsland would be funded through the first round of the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund.
From community halls to local sporting club upgrades, the fund is strengthening community connections and encouraging more visitors to all corners of Victoria.
Friends of Coal Creek will receive $50,000 as part of the fund, to go towards repairs and replacement of the train carriage on the historical site. Meeniyan Dumbalk United Football Netball Club will also receive $50,000 – for netball court upgrades.
“I was really pleased to visit a few of the successful projects today, to hear firsthand what the funding will mean for them,” Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh said.
“The Tiny Towns fund means even the smallest communities get support for things like footy club upgrades, and local hall improvements.”
The program’s first round is bringing to life more than 200 projects across our smallest regional and outer metropolitan towns, each with fewer than 5000 residents. The successful projects celebrate each community’s local spirit and will drive visitation to these vibrant towns.
Other successful applicants include the Strzelecki Public Hall Inc., with $44,676 allocated for restumping and internal flooring, and Loch Memorial Reserve which will receive $41,245 for a new playground.
From local hall upgrades to sports club renovations, community and non-profit groups and councils are eligible for grants of up to $50,000 to get these community-driven projects off the ground.
The Labor Government’s Tiny Towns Fund is just one of the ways we’re creating stronger communities, more tourism opportunities and backing more local jobs, with our $25 million Council Support Package also helping get shovel-ready projects off the ground in our regional cities and surrounding towns.
The fund is a part of the Labor Government’s record $45 billion investment since 2014 in projects and programs that support regional and rural Victoria to be an even better place to live, work, stay and play.
Our investments mean more locals have jobs close to home, more communities have the infrastructure they need to thrive, and more visitors can experience everything our regions have to offer.
For more information visit rdv.vic.gov.au/tinytownsfund or suburbandevelopment.vic.gov.au/grants/tiny-towns-fund.
Full list of South Gippsland recipients:
Tarwin Lower Pony Club Inc. – $14,740 for facility upgrades.
Manna Gum Community House Inc. – $9,520 for the Corner Inlet Community Kitchen Upgrade.
Mt Best Community Hall Association Inc – $6360 for Entertainment Makeover 2024.
Jeetho Hall Inc. – $19,970 for Jeetho – a town to remember.
Mirboo North Grainstore Committee of Management Incorporated – $18,845 for the Mirboo North Grainstore Master Plan Development 2024.
Nyora Football Netball Club Inc. – $11,076 for the purchase of new male and female umpires change rooms.
Sandy Point Community Group Inc. – $10,000 for a new Sandy Point "Welcome" sign.
Darlimurla Community Association Inc. – $5840 for the Darlimurla Hall outdoor gathering space and storage expansion.
The (It's No) Drama Productions - $21,376 to support the Dance of the Leaves performance.
Meeniyan Dumbalk United Football and Netball Club Inc. – $50,000 for MDU FNC Netball court upgrade.
Friends of Coal Creek – $50,000 for repairs and replacement of the train carriage.
Loch Memorial Reserve Inc. – $41,425 for playground renewal.
Strzelecki Public Hall Incorporated – $44,676 for Strzelecki Public Hall - Project 1 - restumping and internal flooring.