Twelve towns in northern Victoria with fewer than 5000 residents will receive grants of between $5000 and $50,000 through the second round of the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund. The funding will support a range of local projects, including infrastructure upgrades and community facility improvements.
"Rural and regional Victoria has so much to offer, which is why we’re continuing to support projects that enhance our tiniest towns, strengthen community connections and encourage more visitors to all corners of the state,” Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes said.
“The Tiny Towns Fund is refreshing community halls, creating new walking tracks, upgrading local sporting facilities and boosting the regional art scene, making our smallest towns great places to live, work, stay and play.”
This year’s recipients include:
- Greater Shepparton City Council – $11,400 for the Dookie Youth Spot Enhancement project
- Tatura Community House – $29,185 to refurbish facilities
- Tallygaroopna Bowling Club – $26,500 for new concrete paths and barbecue area extension
- Merrigum Bowls Club – $17,700 for lighting upgrades
- Rushworth Bowls Club – $9500 to refurbish the club’s exterior
- Devenish Public Hall Committee of Management – $50,000 to upgrade the Devenish Public Hall
- Rotary Club of Euroa – $50,000 to support the Regional Art Group Euroa art exhibition
- Neighbourhood House Murchison – $5000 to improve the community garden
- Murchison-Toolamba Football Netball Club – $29,948 for a junior playing ground irrigation system
- Colbinabbin Clay Target Club – $40,000 for new shooting traps
- Friends of the Bendigo Kilmore Rail Trail – $38,252 for the High Camp Community project
- Stanhope Community Hall Reserve Committee – $34,000 for hall upgrades
The Tiny Towns Fund forms part of the state’s broader investment in rural and regional Victoria, with the government stating that $45 billion has been committed over the past decade. Since it began, the fund has supported close to 350 projects in more than 300 towns.