The Longwarry Recreation Reserve Playground, as well as the Westbury Tennis Clubrooms will undergo some exciting upgrades thanks to two successful grants received by Baw Baw Shire Council.
Council can now publicly celebrate the two grants, with a combined total value of more than $70,000, after the State Government announced its recipients of the latest round of the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund.
Council would also like to acknowledge some local organisations in Baw Baw who were also successful in receiving grants from the fund, these include:
- Aberfeldy and District Association (Aberfeldy Public Car Park)
- Hallston Mechanics Institute Inc (Hallston Mechanics Institute Hall interior refurbishment)
- The Noojee & District Historical Society Inc (Noojee Heritage Enhancing community & tourism infrastructure)
- Food Relief Neerim District Incorporated (Strengthening Neerim District Food Relief Operations)
- Tanjil Valley Landcare Group (Willow Grove Community Garden)
The Tiny Towns Fund is a State Government program to boost economic development and tourism in Victoria's smaller communities.
Council made an application to the fund and received $50,000 for the Longwarry Recreation Reserve playground project, and $26,400 for the Westbury Rennis Clubrooms Community Hub septic system.
The playground upgrades will see brand new equipment installed as well as new fencing, which will complement an overhaul to the Longwarry Recreation Reserve, with a brand-new Pavilion to also be funded in the 2026/27 Annual Budget.
Works for both projects will get underway in the next financial year, and Council will share the exact timeframes for both projects once confirmed.
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Cr Kate Wilson said it was wonderful to see the smaller towns within Baw Baw recognised with funding injections.
"Council will continue to advocate for our smaller communities, who we know sometimes feel left behind," she said.
"There's a huge breadth of work that takes place behind the scenes to keep Baw Baw front of mind for financial support from other levels of government, and this advocacy will only continue to grow."
