After more than a year of lobbying, Golden Plains Shire Council has been accepted as an eligible council under the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF) program.
Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek made the announcement yesterday, adding all six of the Peri Urban Group of Rural Councils (PUGRC) to the program and notifying that the Victorian Government will invest an additional $25 million in the infrastructure fund.
The GSF was established by the Victorian Government in 2015 to fund community infrastructure projects in 10 fast-growing council areas of Melbourne. Minister Somyurek stated that, since its inception, the GSF program has partnered with councils to create 6,750 jobs across 193 projects.
The PUGRC is an alliance of six councils with fast-growing population that are located bordering major cities: Golden Plains Shire, Bass Coast, Baw Baw Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Moorabool Shire and Surf Coast Shire. The peri urban region is a key part of Victoria’s population growth response outside of Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo; and the PUGRC is a leader in advocating for support and solutions for the Victorian peri urban region, at the local, state and national level.
In addition, Minister Somyurek announced that all rural councils in Victoria, including Golden Plains Shire Council, will receive $100,000 to enhance and improve ICT infrastructure.
Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey welcomed the expansion of the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund program, extending key infrastructure investment to rural and regional peri urban municipalities.
“Council is very pleased that after more than a year of active lobbying with the Peri Urban Group of Rural Councils, Golden Plains Shire has been recognised by the Victorian Government and will now be eligible for valuable investment under its Growing Suburbs Fund.
“Golden Plains Shire Council is a founding member of the Peri Urban Group of Rural Councils. Bordering Geelong in the south and Ballarat in the north, we share a common bond with the peri urban councils and it’s critically important that we advocate as one voice for greater investment and support for our communities as we experience significant growth from our neighbouring cities.
“Following this exciting announcement, Council looks forward to assessing potential community infrastructure projects and moving forward to secure Growing Suburbs funding in the future for the benefit of existing and new residents in Golden Plains.”