What is the Growing Suburbs Fund?
The 2020-21 Growing Suburbs Fund (GFS) is a contribution towards meeting critical local community infrastructure needs for Melbourne’s diverse and fast-growing outer suburbs. It is positioned to quickly respond to the pressures being experienced by interface and peri-urbancommunities by bringing forward local community facilities that will make a big difference in the day-to-day lives of outer suburban families.
These councils play a critical role in supporting Victoria’s population growth and economy. They are diverse and home to some of the most vulnerable communities in Victoria.
Background
The Growing Suburbs Fund (GFS) has invested $250 million in critical infrastructure for ten of Victoria’s fastest-growing councils over the last five years.
Since 2015 the Growing Suburbs Fund has:
- Funded 193 community infrastructure projects
- Created more than 6750 jobs
- Leveraged more than $660 million in investment
A new $25 million six-month extension to the Fund was announced by the Victorian Government on 3 June 2020. The fund is expanding to cover six peri-urban councils that face similar population growth and infrastructure challenges.
The ten eligible interface councils are: Cardinia, Casey, Hume Council, Melton, Mitchell Council, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra Ranges. The six eligible peri-urban councils are: Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Macedon Ranges, Moorabool, Golden Plains and Surf Coast Shire.
Together, the interface and peri urban councils are home to 30.4 per cent of Victoria’s population, or 2.7 million people.
Objectives
The 2020-21 Growing Suburbs Fund will contribute to meeting critical local infrastructure needs for communities in Melbourne’s changing and fast-growing outer suburbs. It is positioned to quickly respond to the pressures being experienced by interface and peri-urban communities by accelerating infrastructure projects that will make a big difference in the liveability and resilience of these communities.
Grants will be targeted towards high priority community infrastructure projects that contribute to:
- the needs of rapidly growing communities;
- local employment creation;
- improved local economic conditions in Melbourne’s interface and peri-urban communities;
- improved capacity for councils to respond to changing community needs and demands; and the
- delivery of innovative models of integrated/shared community infrastructure.
Eligible Projects
The 2020-21 Growing Suburbs Fund will fund new, expandedorupgraded infrastructure projectswithin Melbourne’s ten interface and six peri-urban councils.
The program will support projects that have a directbenefitto communities and surrounding catchment areas across the following broad infrastructure categories:
- community healthand well-being
- early education, learning and training
- sport,recreation,and leisure facilities that have dedicated community space and support multi use purposes
- environmental and climate change resilience
- placemaking, civic amenity, and community connecting
Only projects that are “shovel ready” will be funded under the 2020-21 GSF. There is no limit to the number of projects a council can submit for consideration.
Eligible Applicants
The 2020-21 GSFis open to Melbourne’s ten interfaceand six peri-urban councils.
The ten eligible interface councils are:
- Cardinia Shire Council,
- Casey City Council,
- Hume City Council,
- Melton City Council,
- Mitchell Shire Council,
- Mornington Peninsula Shire Council,
- Nillumbik Shire Council,
- Whittlesea City Council,
- Wyndham City Council, and
- Yarra Ranges Shire Council.
The six eligible peri-urban councils are:
- Bass Coast Shire Council,
- Baw Baw Shire Council,
- Golden Plains Shire Council,
- Macedon Ranges Shire Council,
- Moorabool Shire Council and
- Surf Coast Shire Council.
While only interface and peri-urban councils can apply for funding, not-for-profit or private sector organisations are encouraged to partner with these councils to put forward proposals for the 2020-21 GSF.
Timing
Applications close 13 July 2020.
More Information
2020/21 Funding Round – Successful Projects
Bass Coast Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Cowes Cultural and Community Centre | $2,500,000 | $19,000,000 |
Baw Baw Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Longwarry Early Learning Centre | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
Cardinia Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Princes Highway Trail | $989,824 | $1,979,648 |
Casey City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Drive Children’s Centre Redevelopment | $1,000,000 | $1,334,000 |
| Orana Community Place, Early Years Facility | $353,000 | $520,000 |
| Olive Road Sporting Complex – Community Pavilion Redevelopment | $1,000,000 | $2,043,484 |
Golden Plains Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT COST |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Plains Youth Hub | $271,032 | $561,752 |
Hume City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| DS Aitken Reserve Skate Park Upgrade | $210,000 | $420,000 |
| Melba Avenue Streetscape Upgrade | $105,000 | $210,000 |
| Coopers Hill Drive Reserve Upgrade | $142,500 | $285,000 |
| Kirwan Park Upgrade | $117,500 | $235,000 |
Melton City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Diggers Rest Community Pavilion | $2,500,000 | $8,250,000 |
Mitchell Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Wallan Community Hub | $850,000 | $1,204,000 |
| Kilmore Family and Children’s Centre Expansion | $1,108,644 | $3,360,000 |
Moorabool Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT COST |
|---|---|---|
| Darley Park Community and Sports Centre | $2,500,000 | $3,750,000 |
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Flinders Civic Hall Redevelopment | $2,250,000 | $4,500,000 |
Nillumbik Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Eltham Leisure Centre Solar Panels and Associated Infrastructure | $ 270,000 | $ 540,000 |
| Hurstbridge Community Multi Use Facility Upgrade | $705,000 | $1,704,233 |
Surf Coast Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT COST |
|---|---|---|
| Torquay Wayfinding Project | $175,000 | $350,000 |
Whittlesea City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Mernda Social Support Services Facility | $1,240,000 | $2,480,000 |
| Mill Park Library Public Surrounds Upgrade | $450,000 | $900,000 |
| Rochdale Square Neighbourhood Centre Revitalisation | $362,500 | $725,000 |
| Carrington Children’s Centre outdoor learning and playspace upgrade | $150,000 | $300,000 |
| Community Energy Efficiency Program | $250,000 | $500,000 |
Wyndham City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Tarneit North Masterplan Implementation Project | $2,500,000 | $26,413,228 |
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Biomass to Energy Plant – Coldstream Transfer Station | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Upwey Skate Park | $150,000 | $300,000 |
| Kimberley Recreation Reserve Community Sporting Pavilion Redevelopment | $1,850,000 | $4,720,000 |
2019/20 Funding Round – Successful Projects
Cardinia Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| My Place Youth Facility Expansion and Relocation Project | $3,000,000 | $6,080,000 |
| Officer South Integrated Child and Family Centre | $1,500,000 | $7,784,149 |
| Officer District Park | $2,200,000 | $5,175,424 |
Casey City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Selandra Rise Active Open Space Community Pavilion Development | $1,500,000 | $9,787,843 |
| Cranbourne North Active Open Space Reserve (Tulliallan estate) | $3,324,658 | $10,809,900 |
Hume City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Kalkallo North Community Centre | $ 2,000,000 | $8,750,000 |
| Greenvale Recreation Reserve Playspace | $500,000 | $850,000 |
| Cloverton Recreation Reserve Pavilion | $1,495,000 | $2,990,000 |
| Gladstone Park Pavilion Redevelopment | $400,000 | $750,000 |
| Goonawarra Neighbourhood House Redevelopment | $228,600 | $258,600 |
Melton City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Eynesbury Station Early Learning Centre | $1,500,000 | $3,400,000 |
| Brookside Community Pavilion | $850,000 | $1,300,000 |
| Melton Recycling Facility | $3,000,000 | $7,750,000 |
Mitchell Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Kilmore Rejuvenation – A Make Over for Sydney Street’s Retail Core | $2,423,550 | $2,583,723 |
| Activation of Broadford Parks and Play-spaces | $720,000 | $720,000 |
| Taylors Creek Shared Path | $1,688,050 | $1,786,445 |
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Somerville Active Recreation Hub | $742,500 | $1,485,000 |
| Tyabb Kindergarten Upgrade | $727,075 | $1,454,150 |
| Rye Township Plan | $3,250,000 | $6,500,000 |
Nillumbik Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Eltham Sports Multi Use Community Facility | $ 1,414,267 | $ 1,414,267 |
Whittlesea City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Development of Quarry Hills Regional Parkland | $2,500,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Whittlesea Public Gardens Revitalisation | $2,000,000 | $4,000,000 |
| Whittlesea Community Skate Park Activation | $375,000 | $950,000 |
| McLean’s Road Kindergarten Upgrade | $500,000 | $4,500,000 |
| Lalor Streetscape Upgrade | $1,500,000 | $3,000,000 |
Wyndham City Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| K Road Cliffs Master Plan Implementation Project | $1,500,000 | $3,042,000 |
| Truganina South East Community Precinct Masterplan Delivery | $3,000,000 | $26,200,000 |
| Riverdale Multi Purpose Community Centre | $2,000,000 | $9,138,144 |
Yarra Ranges Shire Council
| PROJECT NAME | GSF FUNDING AMOUNT | TOTAL PROJECT VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Monbulk Recreation Reserve Skate and Scooter Park Upgrade | $300,000 | $600,000 |
| Belgrave Lake Park | $600,000 | $1,200,000 |
| Mount Evelyn Community Sport and Recreation Pavilion | $1,900,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Elizabeth Bridge Recreation Reserve Ground Upgrade and Social Recreation Park | $700,000 | $1,400,000 |
Media Release
The Victorian Government will upgrade and expand pavilions, playgrounds, community centres and other infrastructure in Melbourne‘s fastest growing suburbs – delivering the facilities that locals need and supporting jobs and business through the coronavirus pandemic.
Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane today announced 28 projects will receive a share of $25 million from the newly expanded Growing Suburbs Fund.
The investment will help deliver $90.3 million worth of new infrastructure with the investment expected to create more than 700 jobs – kickstarting our economy and supporting local tradespeople, businesses and suppliers.
The projects include $2.5 million for a new Community Pavilion in Diggers Rest, $2.25 million for the Flinders Civic Hall redevelopment and nearly $1 million for the Princes Highway Trail in Cardinia Shire.
The investment will also improve and expand childrens centres in Hampton Park, Thomastown and Kilmore, skate parks in Craigieburn and Upwey, and a range of other local projects that will be needed as these communities grow.
Urban fringe councils were eligible to apply for the fund for the first time, with five grants awarded including $2.5 million for the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre, $2.5 million for the Darley Park Community and Sports Centre and $500,000 for the Longwarry Early Learning Centre.
The investment complements the Victorian Government’s $2.7 billion Building Works package, which includes over $278 million in shovel-ready infrastructure projects across the state to be delivered through local councils.
Since its establishment in 2015, the Growing Suburbs Fund has facilitated $755 million worth of local infrastructure works, creating 7,500 jobs.
