With the Victorian budget set to be released on Tuesday 20 May, Outer Melbourne Councils (OMC) is highlighting a critical funding program that needs to be preserved and expanded.
The Growing Suburbs Fund (GSF) has contributed $440 million to “critical local infrastructure” in Melbourne’s “diverse and fast-growing outer suburbs” since its establishment in 2015, according to the government.
It’s led to the delivery of dozens of community projects across the outer ring of Melbourne’s municipalities including Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Mornington Peninsula, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra Ranges.
In the Yarra Ranges this includes projects like the Chirnside Urban Park, Wesburn Pump Track, Morrison Reserve Youth Activation, Yarra Valley Trail, Monbulk Recreation Reserve Skate and Scooter Park, Warburton Mountain Bike Destination and The Ridgewalk (ngurrak barring).
By any public policy standard, the Growing Suburbs Fund is a well-designed and effective community infrastructure delivery program. It meets a clear need, it leverages co-investment, it provides tangible outcomes for communities and has a very positive benefit-cost ratio.
Councils have used this fund to develop and improve local parks, build playgrounds, upgrade community centres, install skate parks, and make public toilets more accessible.
The fund was topped up by $5 million last year — but no funding has been allocated for future years.
“Meeting the needs of Melbourne’s growing outer suburbs is not a year-to-year proposition,” OMC spokesperson and Cardinia Mayor Jack Kowarzick said.
“$5 million, even leveraged with co-investment from councils, doesn’t go far across the great swathe of Melbourne’s outer suburbs.
“The ‘big build’ might steal the spotlight, but building better neighbourhoods helps us where we live.”
OMC would like to see the fund retained and increased, with funding guaranteed over subsequent years to support the growth and liveability of the outer suburbs.
“Single year extensions and small ‘drip funding’ top-ups don’t provide the certainty our suburbs need.”
“We need to see this program retained and extended over the long term.”
