Six peri-urban councils will be able to access Victoria’s Growing Suburbs fund for the first time after the State Government said it would top up the fund with an extra $25 million.
The councils that will now have access to the fund are Baw Baw, Golden Plains, Macedon Ranges, Moorabool, Bass Coast and Surf Coast. Previously the fund was only available to Melbourne’s 10 interface councils.
Established in 2015, the Growing Suburbs Fund has facilitated $665.7 million in local facilities and supported 193 projects. Its expansion is intended to underpin jobs and investment in areas hard hit by coronavirus restrictions.
The Victorian government has also announced $3.8 million to improve the quality of their Information Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure for Victoria’s 38 rural councils, many of which have limited resources for remote working.
Each rural council will receive $100,000 to enhance and improve ICT facilities to engage, consult and support their local communities.
Peri-urban councils have already been asked to to apply to the Growing Suburbs Fund.