Council
8 August, 2024
Funds flow to revitalise Civic Hall
THREE much-loved community assets in Corangamite Shire will get valuable upgrades thanks to recent State Government funding.
Included among the projects to receive funding was a $50,000 allocation for the redevelopment of the floor at the Terang Civic Hall.
Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney said the funding, allocated through the Tiny Towns Fund, would help to boost the local spirit in each community and drive visitation.
“I visited the Terang Civic Hall to see firsthand how the project will upgrade the venue, improving safety and accessibility for the whole community to enjoy,” she said.
“We’re helping our tiniest towns reach their full potential with so many community-driven projects that will upgrade local facilities and encourage more visitors to Victoria’s fantastic regions.”
Corangamite Shire mayor Kate Makin thanked the State Government for the funding, with additional projects to receive funding including an upgrade of the Camperdown Botanic Gardens path network and replacing floors at Darlington hall.
“These are all community-led projects, supported by council,” she said.
Council allocated $100,000 in the 2024-2025 Budget for the upgrades with equal parts from council and the Victorian Government.
“This project can go ahead now that funding has been awarded through Regional Development Victoria’s Rural Tiny Towns Fund,” Cr Makin said.
“The project involves upgrading the path network in the Botanic Gardens including re-aligning some of the pathways for better access, repairs to the path edges, drainage improvements, and a new layer of scoria.
“The existing paths were laid out many years ago. They have lost their top layer making the surface uneven and difficult to walk on, particularly for people who use mobility aids.
“The new paths will improve the accessibility so more community members and visitors can enjoy Camperdown’s pride and joy.”
In Terang, the funding will see the main auditorium at the Terang Civic Hall reinforced with new blackbutt flooring.
“The new flooring will improve accessibility for people with disability as it will bring the main hall floor to the same level as adjoining floors,” Cr Makin said.
“Council is auspicing this grant on behalf of the Terang Civic Hall Committee and will administer grant funds and the deal with the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions on behalf of the committee.”
Another $40,000 will go to laying, sanding and sealing a new floor at the Darlington Hall.
“Over the past 10 years the Darlington community have done a fantastic job—with the support of the Berrybank Wind Farm and council—to give the hall a new roof, stumps and kitchen, paint the inside and carry out drainage works,” Cr Makin said.
“In the 2024-2025 budget, council has provided an additional $20,000 for the floor works, and the community is conducting fundraising events.
“These three projects are fantastic examples of community groups, council and the State Government working together to achieve great outcomes for our communities.”
Across Victoria 188 projects were funded through the grant program, which backs rural and regional towns with a population fewer than 5000.
Another round of the Tiny Towns Fund is expected to open later this year.