Council
14 March, 2024
Funds offered to grow small towns
MOYNE Shire Council has unveiled a new grant program which aims to boost the population of some of the smallest towns across the shire.
Councillors unanimously supported the establishment of the grants at last month’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
The Small-Town Incentive Grant will aim to incentivise up to 10 eligible applicants with $2000 when they build or relocate a home to a township within Moyne Shire with a population under 500 people, on suitably zoned land.
New builds or relocations in Caramut, Garvoc, Panmure, Kirkstall, Macarthur, Panmure, Peterborough and Woolsthorpe would all be eligible.
Moyne Shire had originally explored a small-town engagement project in 2022 which sought to explore what barriers existed for further development in small towns.
Originally it was Mortlake and Hawkesdale which were engaged, with residents expressing support for growth to retain key services and families.
In the report before council Moyne Shire director environment, economy and place Jodie McNamara said the Small-Town Incentive Grant could turn a $20,000 council investment in to $5 million in construction within the shire.
“The purpose is not only incentivising people to build on existing lots and to help support them in a monetary sense, but also to contribute to our social and small-town connections in community within those townships,” she said.
“It is proposed that we offer up to 10 eligible applicants $2000 to support their new builds, $20,000 in total is included within our existing budget.
“On a very rough calculator we would envisage this might leverage up to $5 million worth of construction if that’s achieved.”
Cr Daniel Meade, moved the motion and said the small towns eligible could “all do with an injection of people”.
“Young families, retirees, working families, to go there and contribute to those local communities, be it the local schools, the CFA shed, or contribute to the local economy via the general store, pub or whatever is there,” he said.
“I think it does send a message that if you are an owner out there that is sitting on a block in some of these small towns, I do encourage you to activate that.
“For the sake of those communities, and for their future, and for businesses in those communities, the clubs, the schools, etcetera.”
Cr Karen Foster said she agreed it was a modest amount but felt the grants signalled council’s “genuine intent” to encourage growth in small towns.
“I’m proud of the fact our council is willing to think outside of the square a little bit in relation to economic development,” she said.
Mayor Ian Smith said the grant could be broadly used to help recipients establish their new homes.
“It might be things like getting plans drawn, installing wastewater systems, establishment of driveways and fencing or installation of solar panels,” he said.
“The aim of this grant is to help unlock existing vacant lots in our smaller townships and encouraging growth in those communities.
“There’s an eligibility criterion that includes ensuring the proposed build is within the township boundary and already appropriately zoned along with a few other key areas.
“This is a great way to help encourage people to look at our smaller towns, where land is affordable and in good supply, there are good access to services and a strong sense of community.”
Eligibility information and details on how to apply will be available soon, with grants open until the funding is exhausted.