Community
26 July, 2024
Projects off the ground thanks to state funding
THE Victorian State Government has recently announced the funding of more than 200 initiatives in small communities through its Tiny Towns Fund program, with Camperdown and Darlington among the recipients.
The program’s first round funded more than 180 projects in rural and regional towns with fewer than 5000 residents.
The successful projects celebrate each community’s local spirit and will drive visitation to the towns.
From local hall upgrades to sports club renovations, community and non-profit groups and councils were eligible for grants of up to $50,000 to get these community-driven projects off the ground.
The Darlington Mechanics Institute and Recreation Reserve Committee of Management was among the recipients, receiving $40,000 to go towards the reflooring of the Darlington Hall.
Committee secretary and treasurer Trish Wynd said she had been looking for funding for the hall works, and the Tiny Towns Fund was one of the eight grants the committee had applied for.
“It’s wonderful – it’s good to be acknowledged, but it’s a bit of money,” she said.
“It’s not everything that we need, but it’s terrific for the community to get that.
“It will pay for the reflooring of the hall when the restumping has been completed, and we’re looking for more funding to complete the whole job which is reinstating the kitchen and the plumbing and refinishing the floors.
“I’m looking for one of those thermometers to show that the funding bubble is moving up towards where I want - $80,000 in total. This grant puts us halfway there.”
Mrs Wynd said any donations or assistance provided to the project would be appreciated by the committee.
“We’re really looking forward to having the hall back up and running for all our social functions that we used to hold because we haven’t been able to use it,” she said.
Corangamite Shire Council was also among the successful recipients, receiving $50,000 to go towards upgrading the paths in the Camperdown Botanic Gardens.
The project includes realigning some pathways to improve access, repairs to path edges, drainage improvements and a new layer of scoria for the pathways.
Councillor Ruth Gstrain said the $50,000 grant, alongside a $50,000 contribution from council, and allow the project to go ahead.
“The Botanic Gardens are a much-loved and highly valued public space for the Camperdown community and visitors,” she said.
“The existing paths were built many years ago and have since deteriorated to a point where they have an uneven surface and are not accessible.
“This new pathway system will improve the accessibility of the gardens and provide a better and safer experience for visitors.
“Thank you to the State Government for supporting this project.”
Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney congratulated the first recipients of the Labor Government’s $20 million Tiny Towns Fund.
“We’re helping our tiniest towns reach their full potential with so many community-driven projects that will upgrade local facilities and encourage more visitors to Victoria’s vibrant regions,” she said.
“The 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 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.”
For more information, and to see the full list of recipients, visit rdv.vic.gov.au/tinytownsfund.