The Streets Alive program, an initiative by the Town Team Movement in partnership with the State Government and the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA), is dedicated to making local roads safer and more vibrant. With $5 million in funding over five years, this program aims to support community organizations and local governments in WA with projects designed to calm traffic and improve road safety in urban areas.

Two Streams of Funding

The program offers two streams of grants:

• Stream 1: Provides 'seed' grants of $5,000 (including GST) for eligible community groups and local governments across WA. Applications for this stream open on May 22, 2024, and close on June 5, 2024. This funding supports projects delivered between July 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
• Stream 2: Offers grants of up to $100,000 for larger projects. Applications for this stream will open on August 5, 2024, and close on September 4, 2024, with guidelines and criteria available from June 24, 2024.

Objectives of the Program

Projects funded by the Streets Alive program must align with at least one of the following objectives:

• Build the capability and capacity of local communities to deliver traffic calming and road safety initiatives.
• Change attitudes and behaviours around speed, emphasizing streets for people over cars.
• Improve the safety and vibrancy of town centres, making them more people-friendly.

Resources and Support

The program provides a variety of resources to help applicants develop strong project ideas. This includes eligibility guidelines, a list of useful suppliers, and access to webinars. The Streets Alive webinar held on May 28, 2024, is particularly useful and can be viewed online to assist with understanding the fund's objectives and submitting a competitive application.

Empowering Local Communities

The Streets Alive program demonstrates the power of community involvement in creating safer, more connected, and vibrant local environments. By encouraging projects that bring colour and life to streets, not only do these initiatives slow down traffic, but they also foster a sense of closeness and camaraderie among residents. It's about making our towns and neighbourhoods not just places to live, but places to thrive.

For any enquiries or additional information about the program, community members are encouraged to reach out via email. Let's work together to make our streets come alive!