Funding to support Victorian suburbs to thrive

The Albanese Government is making Melbourne an even better place to live, today announcing over $129 million for 26 projects in the city and surrounding suburbs.

The Thriving Suburbs Program is designed to build better cities and more liveable suburbs, targeting projects – such as sporting and cultural hubs, libraries and parks – that increase community cohesion, liveability and accessibility. 

With no competitive, urban community infrastructure program under the former Government, we know Councils and local organisations have struggled to maintain and upgrade their essential local assets.

That’s why the Albanese Labor Government established Thriving Suburbs – to help fund the backlog of community infrastructure projects putting a strain on local governments.  

Projects receiving funding in greater Melbourne include:

• $15 million for a new Community Services Hub in Cobblebank to expand access to education, employment, health and family violence prevention services.
• $10 million for the Mernda Regional Sports Precinct Indoor Stadium to deliver new indoor netball and basketball facilities for local kids and families.
• Almost $5 million to upgrade Dallas Brooks Reserve in Mornington to upgrade soccer pitches so more interschool competitions can take place.

The St Kilda Pier (Landside) Foreshore Upgrade, was one project which secured $2.6 million to extend the pier, foreshore and promenade to meet Jacka Boulevard.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King, and Federal Member for Macnamara Josh Burns, were at the pier today to announce the funding.

These investments will connect communities, enrich quality of life at a local level, and enhance social inclusion.

Thriving Suburbs is an open and competitive program, with funding awarded on a merit basis, supported by a two-stage assessment process. 

This is yet another demonstration of the Albanese Government’s commitment to delivering a suburban funding program focused on integrity, transparency, accountability and collaboration.

For more information, including a full list of successful projects in the state, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities/thriving-suburbs-program.

Quote attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

“Councils and local organisations have struggled to maintain and upgrade essential local assets after being deprived of a competitive, urban community infrastructure program under the former Government.

“We established Thriving Suburbs to fix this problem – to support local organisations with the funding they need to build better cities and more liveable suburbs. 

“Whether sports clubs, urban precincts or community hubs, community facilities are the backbone of connected societies – and they’re becoming increasingly important.”

“This important investment will make a real difference for thousands of Victorians by supporting community infrastructure that brings people together and increases local amenity.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Macnamara Josh Burns:

“Today’s announcement is a demonstration of how our Government recognises the importance of elevating urban areas, because that is where most Australians live.

“I’m thrilled to see this funding flowing to a range of local priorities, like the long called-for St Kilda Pier, to take them off the drawing board and make them a reality.

“This project will provide safer access for pedestrians, bike riders and maintenance vehicles to the busy foreshore area that is frequented by almost 3 million visitors per year – and is a demonstration of what this funding really means for our community.”