Friday, July 31, 2020

Lilydale will benefit from a $500,000 Suburban Activity Centre investment to support the community to undertake projects such as minor infrastructure upgrades and maintenance, community activities and local business activation.

The injection is part of a $6 million investment in suburban and neighbourhood centres announced by the Victorian Government as part of the Building Works stimulus program.

Lilydale, along with Tarneit, Boronia, Reservoir, Melton and Noble Park will share in $3 million provided for suburban activity centres.

The grants will be used to leverage co-investment in improving the local areas through on-ground works including upgrades to parks and other public spaces, increased lighting, public art installations and new footpaths and bike paths.

Local shopping strips will share in a further $3 million provided through the Neighbourhood Activity Centre Renewal Fund, providing grants of up to $100,000 to stimulate business activity, support local economies and improve public amenity and accessibility during the coronavirus pandemic.

Yarra Ranges is among 31 local government areas across Melbourne that will benefit from works including streetscape improvements, upgrades to public parks and open spaces, maintenance, increased lighting, pop-up park and public art installations and enhanced footpaths and bike paths. Mitchell Shire is also part of the program.

The Victorian Government will work with local government, business and the community sector to deliver the initiatives. Councils are encouraged to put forward projects that are ready to launch.

The Victorian Government has invested more than $9 billion towards protecting Victorians from the health risks and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

More information about the Neighbourhood Activity Centre Renewal Fund is available at https://www.suburbandevelopment.vic.gov.au/grants/neighbourhood-activity-centre-renewal-fund.

Applications for the fund will close on Friday, 21 August 2020.

Quotes attributable to Harriet Shing MP

“Shopping strips are vital for the strength and cohesion of local communities and this is a great initiative to ensure they receive the support they need during these challenging times.”

“There’s no better source of knowledge about local issues than the people who live it every day – if you’ve got an idea to make your suburb an even better place, we want to hear about it.”