The Carroll Labor Government is backing more projects that matter to regional communities, with a new $6.5 million fund to improve local towns and support jobs.
Minister for Rural and Regional Development Michaela Settle, joined by her Parliamentary Secretary Martha Haylett, today visited Creswick to open applications for the Our Town Fund.
The fund will support community projects in regional towns with populations of up to 12,000 people, making them even better places to live, work and visit.
Councils and alpine resorts can apply for grants of up to $200,000 to deliver larger community infrastructure projects.
Local organisations and community groups can also apply for grants of up to $50,000 for smaller projects that bring people together.
Funding will support new community spaces, tourism attractions and town improvements that make regional towns more welcoming and vibrant.
The projects will also help attract more visitors, supporting local shops, cafes, accommodation providers and tourism businesses.
The Our Town Fund builds on the success of the Tiny Towns Fund, which is supporting more than 500 projects in communities with fewer than 5,000 people.
In Creswick, the Tiny Towns Fund helped deliver new playground bollards inspired by the Australian children's book The Magic Pudding.
The new fund will extend support to more regional towns, helping communities deliver the local projects that matter most to them.
The Our Town Fund is part of the Carroll Labor Government's Future Regions commitment in the 2026–27 Victorian Budget, supporting regional jobs, investment and stronger communities.
It builds on more than $50 billion invested in regional Victoria over the past decade.
Applications close on Tuesday, 2 February 2027. To apply, visit rdv.vic.gov.au/our-town-fund
Quotes attributable to Minister for Rural and Regional Development Michaela Settle
“Labor is backing regional communities with $6.5 million to deliver the local projects that matter most to them.”
“From new playgrounds to community spaces and tourism attractions, these grants will make our regional towns even better places to live and visit.”
"We're helping bring more visitors into regional towns, supporting local businesses, creating jobs and strengthening communities.”
Quote attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Rural and Regional Development Martha Haylett
“Every town deserves to thrive, no matter how big or small. This fund supports local projects, driven by local volunteers, and Labor is backing them in.”
