Hume City Shopfront Improvement Grant Program (Australia)

Hume City Council seeks to support retail and hospitality businesses with a shopfront, including those that are in industrial estates, to help create fresh facades and improve the presentation of their shopfronts to add to the overall streetscape visual appeal and to help drive foot trade. Recognising the importance of supporting small businesses, Hume City Council is offering $100,000 to be allocated for a Shopfront Improvement Grant Program. The maximum amount that each business can receive is $5,000 plus GST. Applications can be made by owners of retail and hospitality businesses. The street-facing shopfront must be in a shopping strip in Hume and not located inside a shopping centre. Exception: Businesses located within a shopping centre managed by an Owners Corporation or Body Corporate may be eligible. For example, retail and hospitality businesses located in Gladstone Park Shopping Centre, Craigieburn Plaza, Sunbury Central and Sunbury Target Centre may be eligible to apply. Businesses located within such a shopping centre are encouraged to contact Council prior to applying, to confirm their eligibility.

This grant program provides funding for improvements such as accessibility access, installing automatic doors and wheelchair ramps, awnings and canopies, planter boxes, lighting, new or replacement signage in accordance with regulatory requirements, painting façades, redecorating exterior walls, upgrades to windows and doors, window decals, and digital display boards for external walls and serving windows. Works require property owner or agent approval, and must comply with Local Laws as specified by Hume City Council. Successful applicants can commence spending grant funds after returning a signed Letter of Agreement, and must submit after-photos as part of the acquittal process.

The grant excludes building planning applications or fees, works to heritage-listed buildings, upgrades or installations of dining furniture, internal or external security CCTV, and ongoing business expenses such as rent, insurances, or wages. To apply, businesses need to provide project summaries, before photos, quotes (preferably from local contractors), relevant permits and licenses, and financial reports covering at least 12 months. Businesses must have operated for a minimum of 12 months to be eligible. Additional eligibility requirements include holding a current ABN, having appropriate permits and licenses, fully paid Council rates, current public liability insurance, and not being in breach of any local government regulation. Only one application per business is allowed, and each business can apply for only one Business Grant Program per financial year.

Successful applicants will sign an agreement and receive funds within 30 days of submitting all required documents. Public disclosure of recipients’ names, project names, and funding amounts may occur via Council publications and releases. The grant program will close when the total funds are expended.

For more information, visit Hume City Council.