- New and extended bus services to the growth area of Cardinia around officer – routes 925, 928 – $22,619,000
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2025 Growth Areas Infrastructure Contribution (GAIC) Funding Round
Applications are now open for the 2025 GAIC Funding Round. The 2025 GAIC funding round will open on 20 December 2024 and close at 12 noon on 28 February 2025.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- State Government Departments and Delivery Agencies
- The seven growth councils on the fringes of metropolitan Melbourne:
- Cardinia
- Casey
- Hume
- Melton
- Mitchell
- Whittlesea
- Wyndham.
Funding available
Up to $150 million will be available, with a primary focus on transport outcomes, including:
- Bus services, stations, and interchanges
- Intersections and roads
- Bike paths and walking paths.
How to apply
Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted via the link at the grants online portal.
- No alternative formats or late submissions will be accepted.
Grant priorities
Funding will be targeted towards high-priority transport initiatives that:
- Improve network coverage of public transport services in growing outer suburbs.
- Encourage greater access to public transport and improve the amenity, safety, and accessibility of railway stations or bus interchanges.
- Deliver new and upgraded active transport connections to address gaps in the existing network and increase pedestrian safety.
- Target strategic cycling corridors and/or complement Big Build initiatives.
- Increase capacity and safety for intersections and roads.
- Boost local economic activity.
- Support other State Government priorities.
2025 Funding Streams
To direct applications to priority areas, funding streams include:
- Land Acquisition: Supporting delivery of future transport services.
- Public Transport Service Delivery: New services and upgrades (bus and train).
- Public Transport Infrastructure: Station upgrades, interchange delivery.
- Active Transport: Shared-use paths, walking and cycling infrastructure in strategic corridors.
- Road Infrastructure: New or upgraded roads, declared roads, signalisation, and intersection upgrades.
- Other: Community infrastructure supporting State priorities.
Key details
- Maximum Allocation: No more than 20% of the total funding pool will be allocated to a single project.
- Council Contribution: Councils must provide a 1:1 cash contribution for grant funding.
- Application Limit: Councils can submit a maximum of three applications per area.
- Competitive Process: Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis.
Consultation requirement
Applicants must consult the GAIC Program team before 21 February 2025 to:
- Discuss project proposals.
- Confirm eligibility and alignment with program objectives.
Need support?
Contact the GAIC Programs Team at GAIC@transport.vic.gov.au for assistance.
Apply now
Click the button below to start and submit your application:
2023-24 Funding Round Outcomes
Growth areas public transport fund
- Extended bus service on Casey Bells Road in Casey – Route 831 – $23,670,000
- Bus service extension to Clyde North via Hardys Road in Casey – Route 798 – $16,227,000
- Sunbury Station car park and access paths upgrade – $1,867,000
- Roxburgh Park Train Station upgrade – $331,347
- Bus service extension – Route 543 to Craigieburn Central – $13,145,597
- New bus service – Kalkallo to Olivine via Donnybrook Station – Route 524 – $16,406,739
- Williams Landing Station upgrade – $4,552,596
- A new bus connection between Harpley Estate and Cornerstone Estate communities, and Wyndham Vale Station – $21,473,000
- Delivery of a fixed route services to residential areas currently reliant of the Tarneit North FlexiRide which is over capacity. The modified route will also provide a link between Tarneit Station and the employment area of Laverton North – $39,732,000
Building new communities fund
- McGregor Road duplication and Henty Street signalisation – $6,000,000
- Princes Highway/Arena Parade intersection upgrade – $2,800,000
- Pakenham Drake Place reconfiguration – $8,400,000
- Land acquisition and construction to extend John Street and provide access to Pakenham Community Hospital – $4,300,000
- VICSES Officer Unit roadworks and sewer headworks – $1,307,000
- Craig Road shared user path design and construction – $1,333,860
- Soldiers Road shared user path development – $555,673
- Land acquisition for new CFA Clyde Fire Station – $4,230,000
- Expansion of the dialysis/chemotherapy floor area at the Sunbury Community Hospital – $2,920,000
- Land acquisition and construction of a Type C VICSES facility in Kalkallo – $1,800,000
- New pedestrian and bike bridge on Toyon Road across Merri Creek at Kalkallo – $1,206,090
- Land acquisition and construction of a satellite VICSES facility in Sunbury – $5,941,194
- New shared user path on Ferris Road in Melton – $4,000,000
- Land acquisition of proposed government school site in Aintree North – $15,136,000
- New school construction: Cobblebank Secondary School – $35,472,000
- New shared user path between Grand boulevard and Sheahan Road and widening of Hopkins Road, Rockbank – $11,000,000
- Active transport connections at Taylors Road in Deanside – $1,350,872
- New active transport connections along Vineyard Road to provide greater access to Diggers Rest Train Station – $940,960
- New multi-purpose community centre in Wallara waters – $9,600,000
- Mernda Aquatic Precinct Transport Infrastructure Project – $10,000,000
- Darebin Creek Trail shared use path – Greenbrook Drive to Epping Station, Epping – $800,000
- Ferres Boulevard shared use path – Findon Road to South Morang Station, South Morang – $800,000
- Ison Road overpass – $60,000,000
- Acquisition of a proposed government school site in Wollahra – $29,392,000
- Construction of a new Ambulance Victoria branch in Wyndham Vale – $7,960,920
- Land acquisition and construction of VICSES facility in Wyndham Vale – $12,260,808
- Land acquisition and construction of VICSES facility in Tarneit – $1,800,000
What is GAIC?
GAIC (growth areas infrastructure contribution) is a fee collected in Melbourne's expanding suburbs to fund infrastructure development.
It is paid when buying or developing a large piece of land.
The fees are collected by the State Revenue Office (SRO) and distributed equally between two special purpose accounts:
- The growth areas public transport fund
- The building new communities fund.
GAIC was introduced in 2010 in the Planning and Environment Act 1987 Part 9B to respond to the challenges facing residents in the growth areas of Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Whittlesea and Wyndham. It is managed by the Minister for Planning and the Victorian Treasurer.
How funds are used
GAIC funds can be used for the purpose of state funded infrastructure projects located within the urban growth boundary of any seven growth area councils.
GAIC funds must be spent in, or for the benefit of, any of the seven designated growth area councils. Funds are used for infrastructure projects like land acquisition, capital works and start-up operating costs for new public transport services.
GAIC funds are distributed to growth corridors broadly in proportion to the amount received over time.
The following project types are priorities for GAIC funds:
Growth Areas Public Transport Fund
- new railway stations and associated works
- new bus interchanges
- future transport corridors
- bus services for the first five years of operation
- associated infrastructure for public transport such as car parking and access
Building New Communities Fund
- primary and secondary government schools and other education facilities
- state emergency services facilities including fire stations and ambulance stations
- health, community health, wellbeing and family violence prevention facilities
- justice facilities including courts and police stations
- open space improvements
- walking and cycling
- regional level sporting and recreational facilities
How funds are allocated
Victorian Government departments (or agencies through the relevant department) can apply for funding to deliver important infrastructure projects that address the needs of growth communities.
Developers can seek to provide works or land for future state infrastructure in lieu of paying the contribution under a GAIC work-in-kind (WIK) agreement. This can offset all or some of a developer’s GAIC liability.
GAIC rates
The adjusted GAIC contributions are:
| Land type | Rate per hectare 2022-23 | Rate per hectare 2023-24 | Rate per hectare 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A (section 201RC(2) of PEAct) | $103,260 | $110,590 | $115,530 |
| B-1 (section 201RC(3) of PEAct) B-2 (section 201RC(4) of PEAct) C (section 201RC(5) of PEAct) | $122,660 | $131,360 | $137,230 |
Information about payments, exemptions and GAIC certificates can be found on the SRO website.
WIK agreements
WIK agreements allow developers to provide land and/or capital infrastructure works in a growth area instead of a cash payment.
Two models have been prepared to assist with entering into and negotiating a WIK agreement.
Developers interested in entering into a WIK agreement should initially contact the VPA.
Two forms are available to assist in developing proposals:
WIK guidelines
WIK guidelines relate to the establishment and administration of WIK agreements. They explain why the model WIK agreements are drafted the way they are, and how they work.
The guidelines should be read in conjunction with Subdivision 2A of Part 9B of the Planning and Environment Act and the model WIK agreements.
Page last updated: 20/12/24