By Matthew Sims
A new toy library in Maribyrnong and new passenger carriages at the Altona Miniature Railway is on the way, thanks to the second round of grants allocated through the state government’s West Gate Neighbourhood Fund.
Announced on Monday, October 24, the grants would benefit 22 new projects across the Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong local government areas via the $10 million fund delivered through the state government’s West Gate Tunnel Project.
The successful grant applicants included the Brooklyn Residents Action Group, which received $98,400 towards a shared path artwork project involving installing artwork and solar lighting along Kororoit Creek trail between Blackshaws Road and Geelong Road, the Williamstown Community and Education Centre, which received $23,810 towards establishing a fully functional computer room at the Altona North Community House and the Rotary Club of Williamstown, which received $12,436 towards hosting a Halloween party.
Other recipients included Friends of Lower Kororoit Creek ($86,100) for revitalising and installing solar lighting to the 1880’s heritage-listed unique blue stone bridge, the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation ($10,000) for a large-scale youth expo, the Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre ($20,000) for an Open Day in October 2023 for the annual World Mental Health Day and West Footscray Neighbourhood House for a new Maribyrnong toy library and a series of artist-facilitated workshops open to local families in 2023.
Footscray MP Katie Hall said the grants allowed for the community to make their dreams a reality.
“It’s a fantastic way for the west to tap into the benefits of the West Gate Tunnel Project sooner rather than later,” she said.
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said the projects would allow for further transformation across Melbourne’s west.
“We’re proud to be helping the community bring more exciting and innovative ideas to life to reflect the vibrancy of the inner west,” she said.
The grants will follow on from earlier rounds of grants which have delivered close to $7.5 million to 69 programs across the western suburbs of Melbourne.
Details: bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/west-gate-tunnel-project/community/west-gate-neighbourhood-fund
