Grassroots sports clubs, community gardens and homeless services are among more than 230 local organisations that will receive funding through the Andrews Labor Government Pick My Project initiative.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Suburban Development Lily D’Ambroiso at Hansen Reserve in West Footscray, which will soon have a new bike park thanks to a $200,000 grant through the community-led initiative.
The new park will help kids of all abilities learn safe riding skills – with wide paths and challenges like hills, curves and bridges, tunnels, as well as new trees and shrubs around the track.
It’s one of 237 projects chosen by local communities across Melbourne and regional Victoria funded through Pick My Project – the Victorian-first community grants initiative that puts decision making in the hands of the public.
Other successful projects include a social enterprise café in Sunshine, a school robotics lab in Oakleigh and an Air Ambulance helipad in Cobden.
The $30 million Pick My Project initiative gave all Victorian residents aged 16 and over the opportunity to submit their idea for a project or program that made their community a better place to live.
People were then given the chance to vote for their favourite project. More than 95,000 Victorians cast votes, with successful projects receiving grants of between $20,000 and $200,000.
Pick My Projects funding has been divided equally between Melbourne and regional Victoria, based on the population of each of the six metropolitan and nine regional partnership areas.
To ensure a range of small and large communities had the opportunity to be part of Pick My Project, no more than 50 per cent of a partnership areas funding was awarded to one local government area.
A full list of successful projects will be available at pickmyproject.vic.gov.au from midday.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“This is a great day for communities right across Victoria – with hundreds of wonderful local projects getting the funding they deserve.”
“These projects have been chosen by locals to benefit locals – giving great little ideas the support they need to get off the ground.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Suburban Development Lily D’Ambrosio
“For the first time ever, we’ve given communities the power to decide the projects that are right for them.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford
“From regional centres to small country towns, Pick My Project will deliver the upgrades, improvements and financial support communities need – because locals know best.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020