Council Support Package

Overview

The funding supports local councils across all of our regions to invest in projects that will create long-lasting value for their communities.

The Package had two streams of funding support:

Stream 1

Set funding for cities that are major regional hubs, including Greater Geelong, Greater Bendigo, City of Ballarat, City of Latrobe and City of Greater Shepparton.

Stream 2

A competitive funding stream open to Victoria’s other rural and regional councils.

Applications have now closed.

Objectives of Program

The fund aims to help eligible councils to deliver projects and activities that:

drive visitation to the regions
create better public spaces for socialising and hosting events
empower volunteers
strengthen businesses and communities
promote Traditional Owner culture, participation and leadership.

By supporting these projects, the fund will deliver lasting economic, social, environmental, sporting and wellbeing benefits for regional and rural Victorians.

Funding Details

Funding will be delivered in 2 streams:

Stream 1

A set funding stream providing:

Up to $5 million in funding for City of Greater Geelong, City of Greater Bendigo, City of Ballarat and City of Latrobe
Up to $3 million in funding for City of Greater Shepparton.

Councils could propose funding to be used across multiple projects and activities that are aligned with the program objectives.

Stream 2

Victoria’s other regional and rural councils could apply for funding for multiple projects. Funding amounts range from $20,000 to $100,000 per project (excluding GST).

Maximum funding per council was $100,000 (excluding GST) with no co-contribution required.

Funding can be used to cover multiple projects that align with the objectives of the program.

Applications have now closed.

Application Process

Applications for the Regional Council Support Package are now open.

Refer to the Stream 1 Guidelines or Stream 2 Guidelines further down the page for detailed information regarding eligibility requirements and the application process. We have also prepared a list of frequently asked questions.

Proposals and applications close 5pm 25 February 2024.

Submit your online application

Apply for Stream 1

Apply for Stream 2

Step 1

Familiarise yourself with the guidelines for your funding stream and check that you can demonstrate the project’s ability to address each of the assessment criteria.

Step 2

Compile necessary supporting documents as detailed in the Program Guidelines.

Step 3

Complete the online application form for your funding stream and submit your application by the closing date. Applications that are still in 'draft’ and have not been submitted by the closing date will not be assessed.

Download Resources

Resource	Download
Stream 1 Program Guidelines - Council Support Package (194.3 KB )	Download
Stream 2 Program Guidelines - Council Support Package (222.8 KB )	Download

Projects funded by this program

Project	Grant	Region	Description
Greater Bendigo City Council: Bendigo Low Line	$5,000,000	Loddon Campaspe	An extension to the Bendigo Creek channel walkway between Golden Square, White Hills and the Bendigo town centre, providing an active and safe off-road transport corridor and connecting many of Bendigo’s major recreational, business and tourism attractions.
Ballarat City Council: Ballarat Major Events Precinct - Community Sporting Facilities Upgrade	$5,000,000	Central Highlands	New modular buildings at Frank Bourke Oval, including player change rooms and amenities, umpires change rooms, administration/scorers’ box, veranda, and storage in line with the AFL Facility Guidelines.
Latrobe City Council: Initiatives across Latrobe City	$5,000,000	Gippsland	A range of activities across Latrobe City including upgrades to sporting facilities and streetscapes, improved volunteer and sports participation, accessibility and inclusion programs, and increased support for Aboriginal owned businesses.
Greater Shepparton City Council: Community Booster Package	$3,000,000	Goulburn	Expansion to the Yahna Gurtji Shared Path between Gemmill's Swamp (Mooroopna) and KidsTown (Shepparton), as well as enhancements to the Shepparton Sports City Precinct.
Greater Geelong City Council: John Landy Athletics Field Facility Upgrade	$5,000,000	Barwon	Major upgrade of the pavilion, grandstand, and immediate surrounds at John Landy Athletics Field, consolidating all functions into one facility, including competition office, public toilets, change rooms, canteen/kiosk, a social and community room, meeting room and uniform store.
Warrnambool City Council: Civic Green Event Space Upgrade	$100,000	Great South Coast	Infrastructure upgrades to the Civic Green stage and event space in Warrnambool to make it more accessible, safe and user friendly for event holders.
South Gippsland Shire Council: Great Southern Rail Trail Activation Project	$100,000	Gippsland	Activation initiatives along the Great Southern Rail Trail (GSRT), including public art, signage, brochure and map, development of a passport activity and a major endurance public event.
East Gippsland Shire Council: Lakes Entrance Water Sports Pavilion	$100,000	Gippsland	A new Lakes Entrance Water Sports Pavilion at Cummingham Arm to safely house water sport equipment, enhancing the tourism product offering and complementing the Krauatungalung Walk.
Northern Grampians Shire Council: Universal access to Stella Young statue in Cato Park	$100,000	Wimmera Southern Mallee	A new fully accessible path to the statue of disability rights campaigner, Stella Young, at Cato Park, Stawell, supporting community cohesion and civic pride.
Mitchell Shire Council: Growing Visitor Services	$75,592	Goulburn	Improvements to facilities at the Seymour Visitor Information Centre, located in the Seymour Old Courthouse, enhancing the visitor experience and community facilities.
Indigo Shire Council: Barnawartha Recreation Reserve Playground	$99,050	Ovens Murray	An all-abilities play space at the Barnawartha Recreation Reserve, enhancing the liveability of the growing township.
Wodonga City Council: Gateway Island Trail Activation Project	$98,892	Ovens Murray	Activation activates for the Gateway Island Trail, including an extension to trails, accessible river access, installation of signage and seating, public art and marketing.
Murrindindi Shire Council: Sustainable Streetscape, Alexandra	$50,000	Goulburn	A more sustainable streetscape in Alexandra with new garden beds, street trees and signage to enhance civic pride, liveability and community cohesion.
Murrindindi Shire Council: Sign up Murrindindi	$20,118	Goulburn	Upgrades to signage in small towns across the Murrindindi Shire, directing tourists to local attractions and supporting increased visitation.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council: Black Hill Reserve - Infrastructure Repair and Community Cultural Engagement	$99,600	Loddon Campaspe	Upgrades to Black Hill Reserve at Kyneton, including repairs to damaged trails, drainage, signage and facilitation of cultural content, supporting civid pride and visitation to the area.
Central Goldfields Shire Council: Creative Station - engage and inspire	$100,000	Loddon Campaspe	Activation activities for the Creative Station at Maryborough Railway Station which includes a pilot program for artists and creative practitioners to develop and showcase their work.
Swan Hill Rural City Council: Community Fixed LED Screens	$99,201	Mallee	Fixed LED screens for the Civic Clock Tower in the Swan Hill central business district, providing a forum for promotional, community and cultural information, and livestreaming state and national events of importance.
Mount Alexander Shire Council: Mostyn Street Crossing Safety Upgrade	$80,000	Loddon Campaspe	A new pedestrian crossing on Mostyn Street, improving pedestrian and road user safety and transforming the main retail strip in Castlemaine.
Surf Coast Shire Council: Torquay Town Centre to Surf World Shared Pathway Connection	$100,000	Barwon	Footpath extension and crossing along the Surf Coast Highway, providing a missing link in the shared pathway system that connects the Surf World precinct to Torquay Town Centre and foreshore.
Colac Otway Shire: Digital Wayfinding and Tourism Signage Project	$79,880	Barwon	Digital signage across Colac that will provide 24 hour access to visitor information, wayfinding, event information and Council information.
Horsham Rural City Council: New Horsham City Oval and Sawyer Park playground	$100,000	Wimmera Southern Mallee	A new playground area at Horsham City Oval with open access to the adjacent Sawyer Park and Wimmera River foreshore, providing visitation benefits for the surrounding facilities and participation in community sport by families.
Golden Plains Shire Council: Smythesdale Public Gardens Upgrade Project	$100,000	Central Highlands	Upgrade works at the Smythesdale Public Gardens, including drainage, street/park furniture and signage. The project aims to increase camp sites and visitation, increase the use of surrounding facilities, and provide visitor information.
Hepburn Shire Council: Creswick Trails Activation	$100,000	Central Highlands	Activation activities for the Creswick Mountain Bike Trails and Hammon Park Trailhead, including signage, photographic/videographic development, visitor collateral, marketing and a public event.
Moorabool Shire Council: Ballan Civic Centre Activation and Revitalization	$100,000	Central Highlands	Enhancements and upgrades to the McLean Reserve at Ballan, activating and revitalising the McLean Reserve Open Space, Ballan Library and Joining Civic Space.
Rural City of Wangaratta: Wangaratta Wayfinding – Building awareness of the Bullawah Cultural Trail	$100,000	Ovens Murray	Public artwork and wayfinding to connect pedestrians in Reid Street, Wangaratta, to the Riverside Square on Faithfull Street and the Bullawah Cultural Trail.
Mansfield Shire Council: Lake Path Link - Mountain Bay/Goughs Bay shared footpath	$100,000	Ovens Murray	A new separated footpath along Piries-Goughs Bay Road and Howes Creek-Goughs Bay Road at Goughs Bay and Mountain Bay in the Mansfield Shire, providing increased safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
Moyne Shire Council: Smart City Technology	$93,791	Great South Coast	Integrated smart technology across Moyne Shire to leverage the power of the Internet of Things, along with the provision of free Wi-Fi in towns. The smart technology will enable an enhanced volunteer and visitor experience at locally run events and data sharing with local partners, clubs, businesses and groups.