Growing Suburbs Fund

About the program

The Growing Suburbs Fund is a $200 million investment over four years in critical local infrastructure for communities in Melbourne's diverse and fast-growing outer suburbs.

It will bring forward critical community infrastructure priorities, delivering projects that improve the amenity, liveability and resilience of interface communities, support connections, enhance services and provide local jobs.

It will fund local infrastructure such as family and community centres, town centre and civic revitalisation projects, open space and amenity improvements.

Who can apply for funding

The 2018-19 GSF is open to Melbourne’s ten interface councils.

The ten interface councils are: Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell1, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Wyndham, and Yarra Ranges.

Melbourne's interface councils are diverse and are home to some of the city's most vulnerable communities. They play a critical role in supporting Victoria's population growth and economy, contain productive rural land and are responsible for 90 per cent of Melbourne's Green Wedge areas.

As a group, the interface councils on Melbourne's urban fringe have been experiencing significant population growth over the last two decades, with growth consistently doubling the state's average. This is expected to continue with more than 1 million additional residents living in Melbourne's interface by 2031.

While only interface councils can apply for funding and enter into a funding agreement with the department, not-for-profit or private sector organisations are encouraged to partner with these councils to put forward proposals for the 2018-19 GSF.

Applicants should review these guidelines to confirm their eligibility.

How to apply for funding

Applications for the 2018-19 Growing Suburbs Fund are now open and will close on 9 July 2018 at 2pm.

The assessment process is designed to ensure that fully scoped, eligible and high priority projects can be funded as soon as possible for works to commence.

Applicants must contact the GSF team before 22 June 2018 on (03) 9948 8563 to discuss their project proposal.

Project proposals that have not been discussed with the GSF team prior to that date will not be considered.

Start a new application

Complete a saved application

Program guidelines

2018-19 Growing Suburbs Fund guidelines (PDF, 1.6 MB)

2018-19 Growing Suburbs Fund guidelines - accessible version (DOCX, 56.3 KB)

Further information

For further information on the Growing Suburbs Fund, please contact DELWP on (03) 9948 8563 or email GSF@delwp.vic.gov.au.