Creating Better Places - Urban Improvement Grants
Round 5 is now open!
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Creating Better Places 2008-09 (Round 4)
Grants for Round 4 were announced in December 2008.
- Urban Improvement stream (17 grants)
The focus for Round 4 was to demonstrate the outcomes of the program, by funding capital works projects that implement Melbourne 2030 objectives. The priorities for Round 4 were:
1. Physical improvement - capital works
2. Bridging projects - design for capital works
3. Place managers
4. Other strategic projects
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Creating Better Places 2007-08 (Round 3)
Grants for Round 3 were announced in October 2007:
- Urban Improvement stream (20 grants)
Creating Better Places 2006-07 (Round 2)
Grants for Round 2 projects were announced in September 2006:
- Urban Improvements (23 grants)
- Heritage (13 grants)
Creating Better Places 2005-06 (Round 1)
Grants for Round 1 projects were announced in mid-2006:
- Urban Improvements (25 grants)
- Heritage – Melbourne 2030 (17 grants)
- Heritage – Public Land (25 grants)
Mid Term Review – Urban Improvement Stream
The review was undertaken between December 2006 to February 2007. Interviews were held with councils and other key stakeholders.
The review indicated that the program was generally well received and well managed and that the urban improvement stream has improved over time.
The review also identified opportunities for further improving the program which was implemented through the subsequent funding rounds.
Final Program Evaluation 2008
SGS Economics & Planning (SGS) was commissioned by the DPCD in late 2008 to evaluate the Creating Better Places (CBP) and the Expert Assistance Programs (EAP). The evaluation concluded that CBP and EAP are crucial to the successful implementation of Melbourne 2030 and are efficient from a socio-economic perspective. That is, the triple bottom line benefits, although they accrue over a long term horizon, are likely to significantly outweigh the costs, as the programs bring forward higher quality and more intensive activity centre development.
The analysis highlighted that the financial impacts of the programs on Government are limited to program funding. On the other hand, the socio-economic implications are much more widely distributed and are likely to engender triple bottom line benefits that outweigh the costs by a factor of 3. Finally, the analysis also highlighted that place based intervention and grant funding best practice is well incorporated into the design and delivery of the programs.
The evaluation also provided a number of recommendations, which will be incorporated into any possible extension of these funding programs.
Heritage Grants 2006-07
For more information about CBP Heritage Grants, and to download an information kit, visit Heritage Victoria or email: heritage.grants@dpcd.vic.gov.au
Expert Assistance Program
Council can also seek further assistance in finalising and implementing structure plans for principal and major activity centres through the Expert Assistance program.
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Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe website.


