Pictured: Glengala Road traffic-calming mural, completed in 2021 with funding from the Suburban Revitalisation Program.
About the grants
A part of the Our Suburbs: Living Local Fund, the Suburban Grants Program recognises that many Melburnians are spending more time in our suburbs: working, socialising and shopping locally.
The grants will support a range of projects in suburban communities that support the 20-minute neighbourhood principles. Examples include upgrades to playgrounds, community gardens, community halls, paths and lighting as well as public art initiatives.
Applications closed Sunday 14 August at 11:59pm.
To view the Our Suburbs: Living Local Fund Suburban Grants successful recipients and projects click here.
The $15 million Our Suburbs: Living Local Fund was established as part of the Victorian Budget 2022-2023 to support metropolitan Melbourne’s suburbs to recover and thrive.
The Fund has been designed to drive the economic and social recovery of the suburbs hardest hit by the pandemic. It will provide funding for local community-building projects that promote social connections, enhance liveability, and support the development, improvement and promotion of suburban neighbourhoods, shopping strips and activity centres as places of local economic activity and community gathering.
The Government also recognises that the shift to more people working from home has created additional challenges and opportunities for Melbourne’s suburbs. Specifically, this shift creates a significant opportunity to support suburban economic growth and enhanced community connections in our suburbs.
The fund will be delivered through two grant programs:
The Suburban Grants are intended to support projects in suburban shopping strips and activity centres that will support and respond to the opportunities and challenges in Melbourne’s suburbs as more Melburnians work and spend their leisure time locally.
The Suburban Grants have been designed to:
- Support the development, improvement and promotion of suburban neighbourhoods, shopping strips and activity centres as places of local economic activity and community gathering
- Support upgrades to infrastructure within suburban neighbourhoods, shopping strips and activity centres and immediate surrounds to encourage more people to shop locally and access other local services and facilities
- Support permanent works in suburban neighbourhoods, shopping strips and activity centres.
- Enhance opportunities for small business and the liveability, safety, accessibility and vibrancy of suburban neighbourhoods, shopping strips and activity centres, including proposals to incorporate local and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories
- Address the needs of local people and enhance living, working, socialising and recreation in local areas
- Support projects that can be delivered in partnership with local government, business and community sector organisations and groups
- Support projects that demonstrate delivery of the Government’s 20-minute neighbourhood principles via a partnership approach similar to that adopted in the Creating a More Liveable Melbourne report.
- Contribute to advancing the priorities of the Metropolitan Partnerships
The Suburban Grants will support a range of projects in neighbourhood activity centres and shopping strips including playgrounds, splash pads, outdoor gyms, community gardens, community hall upgrades, amphitheatres, paths, lighting and public art.
Applicants may seek a minimum of $20,000 (ex GST) and maximum of $200,000 (ex. GST).
Priority will be given to projects in locations most impacted by COVID-19 that include:
- a sound approach to delivering the project
- realistic timeframes for delivery (12-18 months)
- are financially viable
- represent value for money
- deliver a place-based impact
Applicants will be required to also make a contribution towards the projects.
Projects should be completed by 30 June 2024.
Incorporated (not-for-profit) organisations/associations will be required to contribute at least 15 per cent of the grant being sought (cash and in-kind). Total contributions may consist of up to 25 per cent of in-kind.
Local governments will be required to make a minimum matching ($1:$1) contribution (cash and in-kind) of the grant being sought. Total contributions may consist of up to 25 per cent of in-kind contributions.
Further information
We’re here to assist.
We can assist you with advice and translation and accessibility support via phone on the Business Victoria Hotline 13 22 15.
The Living Local Fund also offered grants for projects in rural and regional Victoria. For further information, visit the Regional Development Victoria website.