The southwest community has received $129,500 for three projects under the Victorian Government’s Stronger Regional Communities Program.
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced funding for phase 2 of the Great South Coast Economic Migration Project, Moyne Shire Council’s Business Adaption Planning Service and Gunditjmara War Memorial Mural.
The projects are among 29 successful initiatives to be announced as part of this year’s program, designed to support community-led projects that make regional Victoria a better place to live, work and visit.
The Gunditjmara War Memorial Mural project will build a large-scale indigenous war memorial on the water tower in Heywood, the gateways to the Budj Bim UNESCO World Heritage Listed landscape. The memorial will highlight and celebrate the significant contributions of indigenous veterans.
Phase 2 of the Great South Coast Economic Migration Project aims to address population attraction to rural towns in the Great South Coast region. The pilot project focused on the agriculture sector and successfully relocated 8 families comprising 55 individuals from an African background to the region.
Moyne Shire Council’s project aims to support existing businesses to withstand the current COVID-19 crisis, through a series of interventions.
The current round of the program provides grants up to $50,000 and was advertised at the beginning of the year through a competitive-based process to ensure the best projects received support.
The fund is part of the Victorian Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, a key aspect of the Government’s record $2.6 billion Delivering for Regional and Rural Victoria Program unveiled in last year’s State Budget.
The investment is delivering quality education, health, transport and record jobs – which have never been more important than right now as Victorians navigate the consequences of coronavirus.
Information and guidelines for the Stronger Regional Communities Program are available at https://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-regional-communities-program.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“The Victorian Government is committed to making sure Victoria’s regional communities share in Victoria’s success – investing in infrastructure and services to create jobs and make our regional areas even better places to live, work, invest and visit.”
“We are making sure our region has the support our communities need to move through the current challenges and can thrive into the future, helping attract new people to town and existing businesses expand.”
“Our investments mean more jobs in rural and regional communities and that means more people can enjoy the unique lifestyle our region offers.”