Victoria’s smallest towns are getting another chance to spruce up their community spaces and attract more visitors, with applications now open for Round 3 of the Allan Labor Government’s Tiny Towns Fund.
Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes launched the new round at Glenlyon Recreation Reserve, joined by Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas. The program offers grants of up to $50,000 for towns with fewer than 5,000 residents, supporting projects that make local life better or help draw travellers to rural areas.
The initiative, backed by a $20 million pool, has already supported nearly 350 projects across more than 300 small towns in Victoria through its first two rounds. The focus has been on improving facilities that bring communities together, from renovated halls and upgraded playgrounds to revitalised outdoor spaces.
In Glenlyon, the Hepburn Shire Council used its Tiny Towns grant to build an accessible equestrian mounting ramp at the local recreation reserve. The new ramp enables horse riders of all abilities to take part in the local pony club, adult riding club, and Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia activities. It’s one of many examples of the fund’s impact at ground level, where even small changes can make community events more inclusive and enjoyable.
Minister Symes said the program has helped strengthen the social and economic fabric of small towns across regional Victoria. “From upgraded halls to new playgrounds, these projects are improving how locals live, work and connect in their towns,” she said. “This fund is making a big difference to our smallest communities – delivering hundreds of projects that attract visitors and bring the community together.”
Ms Thomas echoed that sentiment, saying local pride has been a standout feature of the program’s success. “It’s fantastic to see so many towns in my community benefitting from this fund, which is all about bringing the community together and attracting visitors,” she said.
The Tiny Towns Fund forms part of the Labor Government’s broader $47 billion investment in regional and rural Victoria. A key element of the program has been its emphasis on using local contractors and suppliers, ensuring that the economic benefits stay within the communities the projects aim to uplift.
More than 50 community halls have been upgraded or renovated under the initiative so far, along with dozens of playgrounds, gardens, and outdoor recreation areas. Each project adds a local story to the wider effort of keeping small towns thriving and visible on the state’s map.
Applications for Round 3 of the Tiny Towns Fund close on Wednesday, 4 February 2026. Councils and community groups are encouraged to apply for projects that will enhance their towns’ liveability and visitor appeal. Full details and application information are available at rdv.vic.gov.au/tiny-towns-fund.
A short video from the event, featuring Minister Jaclyn Symes and Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas at the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve, can be viewed on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17dHanpA3w/.
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