Recent cuts to the Growing Suburbs Fund in the 2017/18 State Budget will have a negative impact on the social strength and resilience of more than 1.3 million residents, and is likely to cost Victoria in the long-term.
The Victorian Government has halved the annual community infrastructure fund for Melbourne’s outer suburbs from $50 million to $25 million.
As a result, the dedicated funding stream which helps Interface Councils like
Mitchell to deliver essential social infrastructure will be less effective in preventing social isolation and fragile families.
Mitchell Shire Council is one of 10 Interface Councils. The fund has contributed over $8.5 million to projects in Mitchell Shire over the last two years including new sports facilities, playgrounds and community hubs.
