Labor is giving regional communities another reason to be proud of where they live, with hundreds of new investments flowing into Victoria’s smallest towns.

Minister Settle joined Member for Ripon Martha Haylett in Newbridge to announce the recipients of Round 3 of the $20 million Tiny Towns Fund, which will deliver 157 projects across 151 towns with less than 5,000 people.

This latest round takes the total number of projects to more than 500 across 419 towns, with grants of between $5,000 and $50,000 supporting local priorities.

New playground and upgraded community facilities are helping create better spaces to Victoria’s smallest places.

In Newbridge, a small historic gold mining town west of Bendigo, $49,600 will go towards improving access to the Newbridge Community Hall, supporting the design and construction of a new front access ramp.

This investment will make the facility safer and more accessible for residents and visitors alike.

Nearby, Campbells Forest Progress Association Inc will receive $40,769 to construct an outdoor area adjoining the Campbells Forest Halls. Works include the installation of a roofed shelter, compliant concrete access, lighting and power, and guttering connected to existing rainwater tanks.

Across regional Victoria, more than 40 much-loved community halls will be updated, while 15 playgrounds and play spaces will be created or improved.

Dozens of regional communities are already reaping the rewards of the Tiny Towns Fund, with more than 100 projects complete, helping make regional Victoria an even better place.

Most projects are being delivered by local workers and businesses, backing regional supply chains and economic growth.

Only Labor is investing in regional Victoria, with more than $50 billion delivered over the past decade to make our regional cities and towns better places to live, work, and study.

Liberal and National cuts would leave regional communities worse off, threatening the services, jobs and economic opportunities that country Victorians depend on.

Across the Ripon electorate, successful Tiny Towns Fund recipients include:

• $50,000 for a new playground at the Skipton Recreation Reserve
• $50,000 for an interim clubroom rebuild at the Carranballac Recreation Reserve for the Eel Skinners & Duck Pluckers BNS Ball
• $50,000 for an exterior refurbishment of the Dean Hall & Mechanics Institute
• $33,000 for a new playground at the Warrak Recreation Reserve
• $34,710 for an exterior upgrade of the Snake Valley & District Historical Society
• $34,615 for weatherproofing the Banyena Hall
• $46,000 for a new playground at the Lexton Community Hub
• $41,857 for power infrastructure upgrades at the Ballarat Showgrounds in Mount Rowan
• $38,940 to replace the floor at the Landsborough Recreation Reserve
• $40,769 for a new inclusive outdoor space at the Campbells Forest Hall
• $50,000 for a refurbishment and upgrade of the Rheola Public Hall
• $42,187 for restoration and beautification works at the Laanecoorie Hall
• $27,100 for restoration and beautification of the Arnold Public Hall
• $15,800 for internal painting at the Moliagul Hall
• $49,600 for upgrades of the Newbridge Public Hall
• $11,252 for renewal of the community garden in Korong Vale
• $7,075 for beautification of the Eddington Park
• $8,550 for preservation of the Old Kingower Burial Ground

For more information about the Tiny Towns Fund, visit rdv.vic.gov.au/tiny-towns-fund

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development Michaela Settle

“Some of Victoria’s best communities are also our smallest, and the Tiny Towns Fund is helping make sure they have the facilities and infrastructure they need to thrive.”

“Labor is proud to back our smallest towns because we know strong regional communities are built through sustained investment, not cuts.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“Our smallest communities are full of hard-working families who volunteer their time to keep their community thriving, and I am so proud to support them with great projects like these.”

“These projects go a long way and will help keep our rural communities strong.”