The Allan Labor Government's Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is calling on neighbourhoods in Melbourne's east and south east to apply for a new round of grants that will back local community projects.
The SRL Community Projects Fund (CPF) helps community groups, schools and not-for-profit organisations deliver their exciting local initiatives, with applications now open for people to apply for grants between $10,000 and $80,000.
The grants are available for projects close to the six new SRL stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill, or near other SRL facilities.
Community programs, local events, health and wellbeing initiatives, arts and culture, creative spaces, sporting facilities and equipment, and community gardens are important components of any thriving neighbourhood.
While the SRL is under construction, the grants will help support, strengthen and enhance local communities and places in the surrounding areas of the city shaping project.
The first round of CPF grants supported nearly 80 local projects, including a new multi-use netball court in Cheltenham, a community garden in Clayton, a multicultural food festival in Monash, educational programs in Glen Waverley, a tree planting day in Burwood and the preservation of historic photographs in Box Hill.
The SRL will not only create better connectivity as Melbourne grows, but as Australia's largest housing project it will help deliver thousands more homes exactly where they're needed - in thriving, vibrant communities close to jobs, services and a train station.
The SRL is powering ahead with major construction now underway, more than 3,000 people already working on the project and tunnelling to start next year. Trains will be taking passengers in 2035.
For more information and to apply, visit suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au/community-fund.
As stated by Minister for Suburban Rail Loop Harriet Shing
"The Suburban Rail Loop East will slash travel times and cut congestion for busy families - while delivering 70,000 more homes within walking distance to jobs, healthcare, and Australia's largest universities."
"These grants will support a range of local projects for the neighbourhoods around the six new stations and are an important way for communities to connect as we gear up for tunnel boring to begin next year."
