A new bucket of funding is being offered to businesses, shops and cafes as an incentive to improve the look of their buildings.
The grants, approved by Logan City Council, will help upgrade and repair awnings, shutters and facades to improve the appeal of an area.
A statement from council said it would aim to enhance the local shopping and dining experience for residents and visitors.
The “facade improvement program” would offer applicants $2 in grant funding for every $1 they agree to spend. It will be capped at $5000.
The move is geared to make some areas look better, and to increase foot traffic to local business.
Similar programs in other areas, including Brisbane, have relied on landlords to foot the bill, but Logan’s statement said the door was open for owners and tenants with ground-floor, open-to-the-public premises to apply.
It would be limited to areas zoned as Neighbourhood or Local Centres.
“It is also hoped the program will foster more footpath dining across the city, encourage greater use of greenery and result in the reinstatement of heritage features where applicable,” council’s statement said.
Areas which qualify for the grants include some retail and dining precincts.
“There will be a special focus on those businesses and shops within the Logan Central Local Plan boundaries,” council’s statement said.
Applicants for funding will be assessed under criteria that includes:
• The impact the works will have on the area
• Community value of the upgrade
• Value for money
• Quality of the proposed improvements
• Use of local suppliers to deliver the works
Deputy mayor Jon Raven urged eligible local businesses to get involved in the program.
“This program is designed to reinvigorate our smaller centres across the city as welcome spaces draw people to an area and help them feel safe,” Cr Raven said.
“As businesses look forward to a post-Covid recovery, council wants to incentivise them to invest in their street frontage to improve the look of an area and attract more customers.”
Applications for the program will be invited early 2022.
