By Matthew Sims
Festivals, events, community connection and local community groups are set to receive a boost across Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong, as the next round of grants from the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund opens.
Grants are available in three categories for initiatives of all sizes, which are aimed bring people together and improve neighbourhoods while work on the West Gate Tunnel project is underway.
The Connecting Neighbourhoods grants offer up to $10,000 for one-off projects or activities aiming to improve community connectedness and participation while Celebrating Neighbourhoods grants provide up to
$20,000 for festivals, events and installations that bring local people together.
Up to $100,000 will be available through the Transforming Neighbourhoods grants, for improvements to local community, sporting and recreational facilities, and local environments.
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said the grants follow on from the success of the first rounds of partnerships and grants that have resulted in a number of ideas becoming reality across the Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong areas.
“We’re looking for more exciting and innovative ideas that reflect the vibrancy of the inner west,” she said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to tap into the benefits of the West Gate Tunnel Project and make our wonderful community an even better place to live.”
Footscray MP Katie Hall said the grants program will benefit Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong while works continue on the project up to its scheduled completion in late 2025.
“We’re seeing so many ideas and projects come to life through the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund and there’s no doubt there are many more out there,” she said.
“Through the West Gate Tunnel Project we’re transforming the inner west and this is a great way to ensure benefits flow to all parts of the neighbourhood sooner rather than later.”
Applications for a grant through the next round of the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund will close at 3pm on Friday, August 19.
Details: westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au/neighbourhoodfund
