Applications open 6 March 2026 at 9am.
Applications close 28 April 2026 at 9am.
The Precinct Business Association Program supports recognised and incorporated associations representing local traders in a specific, consumer relevant precinct strip or geographic area across the City of Melbourne.
Up to a maximum of $130,000 annual funding is available to successful applicants for place activation initiatives, marketing campaigns and business programs to drive visitation to the precinct.
Key dates and application details
Applications open on 6 March and close on 28 April 2026 for the final year of the Precinct Business Association Program 2025-27.
Eligibility
Associations applying for recognition within the Precinct Business Association Program 2025-27 are required to maintain compliance with Consumer Affairs Victoria and present the following documents by the annual application for funding due date:
- Precinct Business Association Program 2025-27 application for recognition and funding form.
- Copies of documentation demonstrating the management and legal structure of the applicant association.
- Annual financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 External link
- The association’s current register of members demonstrating a minimum of twenty-five individual members who have paid a membership in full at a minimum of $50 per annum.
- The fee structure for members, membership development plan and membership verification documentation.
- Quarterly reporting to demonstrate the undertaking of localised place activation initiatives, marketing campaigns and business programs, as outlined in the association’s application to the Precinct Business Association Program 2025-27 for the benefit to the associations described precinct-wide area as approved.
The City of Melbourne will only recognise one precinct trader association per consumer relevant precinct strip or geographic area.
Executive officer and Association operating costs – maximum $40,000
Dependent on membership numbers, up to $40,000 is available on a financial year basis to assist recognised associations with the employment of an executive officer or coordinator and general operating costs to deliver services to members, such as communications and engagement.
The engaged Executive Officer or coordinator remunerated by the recognised association must be independent of the precinct trader association and cannot be an association member business.
With the support of the Executive Officer, the Precinct Association must develop a vision and strategic plan for the precinct which will form the basis for an annual business/activity plan.
Place activation initiatives, marketing campaigns and business programs – maximum $90,000
Up to $90,000 funding is available on a financial year basis to assist recognised associations delivering their annual business plan. Without limiting the scope of these plans, funded activities could include:
- place activation initiatives such as pop-up events and markets to showcase local products and services, static installations in public areas and other activities that promote the trader area to visitors and consumers
- consumer advertising of the trader area
- marketing and promotion campaigns to benefit their members
- business development initiatives such as business training.
Year 1 Precinct Business Association Program Funding
At its June 2025 meeting Council recommended funding to the following associations:
- Carlton Inc. $90,000
- City Precinct, $111,200
- Collins Street Precinct Group (CSPG), $130,000
- Docklands Chamber of Commerce, $106,800
- Greek Precinct Association - $68,400
- Kensington Business Association, $48,000
- Korea Business Association $46,200
- Melbourne Chinatown Business Association, $103,600
- North & West Melbourne Precinct Association, $105,600
- Yarra River Business Association, $103,200
Refer to the list of recognised associations for names and contact details.
SmartyGrants technical requirements
SmartyGrants is compatible with current versions of Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer (Microsoft Edge). Please note early versions of Internet Explorer are not supported.
We do not recommend completing your application via a tablet or mobile device as there are limitations.
Save the progress of your application regularly. If you leave your computer idle for 30 or more minutes without saving your work, your SmartyGrants session may end (or time-out).
If the system does time-out, SmartyGrants will return you to the login page where you are required to re-enter your username and password to continue using the system. In this instance you may lose any unsaved work. To avoid any inconvenience, save your application regularly.
For technical assistance contact SmartyGrants during office hours on 9320 6888 or email service@smartygrants.com.au
