New round of Rise Up Central Highlands

New round of Rise Up Central Highlands 

Posted on February 3, 2025

Central Highlands Regional Council’s ‘Rise Up’ grants are reopening on Monday 3 February.

This grant program offers financial support to commercial business owners and community members aiming to enhance their shopfronts or activate underutilised spaces.

Previous successful applicants have utilitised the grants to refresh their shopfronts with new signage and redoing their landscaping.   Mayor Janice Moriarty encouraged businesses to seize this opportunity:

‘Don’t miss this chance to improve your business’s appearance and contribute to our vibrant community.

 ‘Council provides resources to assist with your grant applications so that we can make it as accessible as possible.’

‘So please do reach out and make the most of the support available,’ she said.

The five open grant streams include: 

Historical upgrade: for restoration projects on buildings with historical significance (up to $10,000)  Façade upgrade: for streetside visual improvements (up to $2000)  Placemaking: for creating spaces where people can gather (up to $2000)  Reimbursement of fees: Development application and infrastructure fees (up to $125,000) Reimbursement of fees: For long-term residential accommodation (up to $125,000)

The grants are now open for applications via chrc.smartygrants.com.au and close on Friday 11 April 2025.

Applications will be assessed and decided in the order in which they are received. Once the funding is fully expended, the program will be closed for the financial year.

The initiative is a component of council’s broader strategy to stimulate investment and economic growth in the Central Highlands region.

To find out more, visit the council’s webpage on the Economic Stimulus Framework here, or call council on 1300 242 686.