Labor is giving regional communities another reason to be proud of where they live, with hundreds of new investments flowing into Victoria's smallest towns.
Minister Settle joined Member for Ripon Martha Haylett in Newbridge to announce the recipients of Round 3 of the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund, which will deliver 157 projects across 151 towns with less than 5,000 people.
This latest round takes the total number of projects to more than 500 across 419 towns, with grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 supporting local priorities.
New playground and upgraded community facilities are helping create better spaces to Victoria's smallest places.
In Newbridge, a small historic gold mining town west of Bendigo, $49,600 will go towards improving access to the Newbridge Community Hall, supporting the design and construction of a new front access ramp.
This investment will make the facility safer and more accessible for residents and visitors alike.
Nearby, Campbells Forest Progress Association Inc will receive $40,769 to construct an outdoor area adjoining the Campbells Forest Halls. Works include the installation of a roofed shelter, compliant concrete access, lighting and power, and guttering connected to existing rainwater tanks.
Across regional Victoria, more than 40 much-loved community halls will be updated, while 15 playgrounds and play spaces will be created or improved.
Dozens of regional communities are already reaping the rewards of the Tiny Towns Fund, with more than 100 projects complete, helping make regional Victoria an even better place.
Most projects are being delivered by local workers and businesses, backing regional supply chains and economic growth.
Only Labor is investing in regional Victoria, with more than $50 billion delivered over the past decade to make our regional cities and towns better places to live, work, and study.
Liberal and National cuts would leave regional communities worse off, threatening the services, jobs and economic opportunities that country Victorians depend on.
As stated by Minister for Regional Development Michaela Settle
"Some of Victoria's best communities are also our smallest, and the Tiny Towns Fund is helping make sure they have the facilities and infrastructure they need to thrive."
"Labor is proud to back our smallest towns because we know strong regional communities are built through sustained investment, not cuts."
As stated by Member for Ripon Martha Haylett
"Towns like Newbridge are what make rural Victoria so special, and this funding will help ensure the community's much-loved hall is better and more accessible for future generations."
"Only Labor is investing in the projects that matter to rural and regional communities, backing local jobs and improving community facilities."
