The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to invest in Victoria’s fastest-growing communities, with applications open for the highly successful Growing Suburbs Fund.

Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane today visited Moorabool Shire Council with Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle and Member for Melton Steve McGhie to announce the opening of the Growing Suburbs Fund.

This funding round will make $50 million available for more childcare and health centres, playgrounds, libraries, and paths and streetscape upgrades in growing communities.

The funding was announced as part of the Victorian Budget 2020/21 to help deliver a wide range of council infrastructure projects to ensure residents in high growth areas get access to the best possible facilities.

More than 2.7 million Victorians live in these interface and peri urban council areas, representing 30 per cent of the state’s population. This is forecast to grow to almost 4 million by 2031.

Projects made possible through the fund include the $19 million Cowes Cultural and Community Centre in Bass Coast Shire, the $8 million Hills Hub community centre in Cardinia Shire and the $6 million Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre in Wyndham.

As Victoria’s economy recovers from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Growing Suburbs Fund projects will continue to provide a valuable boost for local economies.

Since it was established in 2015, the fund has facilitated $755 million worth of projects and created more than 7,500 jobs. More than 125 projects are now complete and open to the public.

For more information on the Growing Suburbs Fund, including the 2020-21 guidelines, visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au/grants/growing-suburbs-fund