Growing Suburbs Fund

The 2023-24 Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF) is a contribution by the Victorian Government towards critical local community infrastructure needs for our fast-growing outer suburbs within the 10 interface councils.

The GSF is a response to the pressures being experienced by growing communities through fast-tracking high priority local infrastructure projects. These projects contribute to more resilient and liveable communities and improved capacity for councils to respond to changing community needs and demands.

Interface councils are located on the fringe of metropolitan Melbourne, marking the interface between the ‘city’ and ‘country.’ Interface councils also play a critical role in supporting Victoria’s population growth and economy. For over two decades, population growth in these areas has exceeded the State’s average, and this trend is expected to continue.

The GSF will contribute to meeting critical local infrastructure needs for communities in our changing and fast-growing outer suburbs.

Grants will be targeted towards high priority community infrastructure projects that:

• increase social and economic participation in Melbourne’s fast growing outer suburbs
• meet the health and wellbeing needs of people in fast growing outer suburbs
• increase local economic activity
• improve capacity for councils to respond to changing community needs and demands
• deliver integrated or multi-purpose community infrastructure
• create a safe and engaging environment for disadvantaged community members
• progress key priorities of the Victorian Closing the Gap implementation plan by delivering important cultural community infrastructure, and further enhancing the partnership between government sectors, First Nations community-controlled organisations, and the wider community
• demonstrate consistency with State Government climate change policies, environmentally sustainable design, and universal design principles
• deliver the Government’s 20-minute neighbourhood principles via a partnership approach similar to that adopted in the Creating a More Liveable Melbourne report.

The Growing Suburbs Fund successful recipients and projects are listed on this page.