Business Grants
Council supports local businesses through Business Grants to revitalise the shopping strips in the commercial retail areas of towns across the Shire.
Building Façade Improvement Program
The Building Façade Improvement Program assists businesses and commercial property owners to improve the appearance of their building facades and increase the overall attractiveness of the shopping strips in Colac, Apollo Bay and the small towns throughout the Shire.
What may be funded?
- External Painting
- Replace signage in poor condition
- Cleaning the façade
- Minor repairs, maintenance or reinstatement of missing elements
- Minor repairs to existing façade tile or stone accents
- Minor repairs to structural façade elements and awnings
- New, repairs and replacements of verandahs
Grant Amount
Grants up to $3,000 maximum.
All grants require a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution which may be provided as cash and/or in-kind. In-kind must relate directly to the delivery of the project.
Contact Us
Visit: 2–6 Rae Street, Colac
Email: inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 5232 9400
Guidelines
Click to view Guidelines 2026/2027(PDF, 335KB)
Why You Should Read the Grant Guidelines
1. To know if you’re eligible
Guidelines explain who can apply, what types of projects are supported, and any property or organisational requirements. This helps you avoid spending time on an application that can’t be funded.
2. To understand what funding can (and can’t) be used for
They outline eligible and ineligible expenses, funding caps, and any mandatory project components.
3. To make sure your application is strong
Guidelines detail:
- assessment criteria
- what evidence or documents you need
- how applications are scored or prioritised
Knowing this lets you tailor your application effectively.
4. To be aware of compliance requirements
This includes:
- Acquittal reporting obligations
- Payment conditions
- Landowner consent
- Permits and Approvals
- Timelines and milestones
- Responsibilities once funded
Reading them upfront reduces surprises later.
5. To avoid delays or rejection
Missing required information, forms, approvals, or deadlines often results in applications being deemed incomplete or ineligible.
6. To understand your responsibilities
If successful, you’ll need to meet certain conditions. Understanding these early ensures you can actually deliver what the grant requires.
Recipients 2025 / 2026
| BUSINESS GRANTS Building Facade Improvement Stream |
|
|
| Colac Tenpin Bowl |
Colac Tenpin Bowl Bromfield Street Exterior Repaint |
$3,000 |
| Owner - 86 Murray Street Colac |
Facade Improvements |
$3,000 |
| Dar Teta |
Facade / Outdoor Dining Area Improvements |
$3,000 |
| Forrest MTB Hire |
Repair Facade and Verandah |
$890 |
| AK & ME Beale |
Cororooke Bakery Facade Improvements |
$3,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$12,890 |
For further information or assistance, contact the Grants Officer on inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au or (03) 5232 9400