Grassroots sports clubs, community gardens and a multi-purpose cinema facility are among organisations in Victoria’s south west that have secured vital funding through Pick My Project – the Andrews Labor Government’s ground-breaking program that gives locals the power to choose the projects their community needs.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced 17 local organisations would receive a combined $2,260,623 through the $30 million, Victorian-first initiative.
The successful projects include (see list below):
Through the $30 million Pick My Project initiative, Victorian residents aged 16 and over were given 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.
More than 230 projects across Melbourne and regional Victoria received funding through Pick My Project, with funding 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 is available at pickmyproject.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney
“I’m so pleased that these projects will get the funding and support they need thanks to this ground-breaking initiative.”
“Pick My Project will make a real difference to communities across Western Victoria – giving locals the power to choose the projects their community needs.”
“These projects have been chosen by locals to benefit locals – giving great little ideas the support they need to get off the ground.”
Apollo Bay Aquatic Centre Inc – $200,000
Project: Making a Splash – Community Pool becomes Indoor Aquatic Centre
This project will transform the existing 25-metre community pool into an indoor facility, providing year-round access. A new structure will be erected over the existing pool with roller shutters providing outdoor access in warmer weather.
Birregurra Primary School – $62,000
Project: Basketball Court for Birregurra Kids
The upgrade of the rundown school basketball court will add to the local sporting infrastructure giving Birregurra children a basketball court to train on and provide a modern facility to be proud of.
Otway Conservation Association – $168,460
Project: Closing the Loop; Community Food Waste to Nutrient Rich Compost
This project offers environmentally beneficial outcomes for the disposal of food waste. A commercial sized closed loop unit will be located in Apollo Bay, which turns food into compost. The unit will be made available to the community and offers a great opportunity for education on closed waste systems.
Birregurra Recreation Reserve Committee – $139,074
Project: New Toilet Block with Disabled Access and Baby Changing Facility
The Birregurra Recreation Reserve is the hub of the local sporting communities. Current facilities are limited. The new toilets will improve the amenity of the Reserve and ensure all visitors can access the toilet.
Simpson Car Club Inc – $88,781
Project: Speedway Track Upgrade of Lighting
The Simpson Car Club holds Speedway events during the months of December through to April, with events held in the evening. This project will upgrade the current lighting with new LED lighting. The new lighting will provide the correct amount of lighting to ensure the safe running of events.
Otway Health – $200,000
Project: Multi-purpose Cinema Facilities at the Apollo Bay Community Centre
This project will install a professional cinema set-up, including retractable cinema screen, audio system, digital projector, sound control and Wi-Fi in the Apollo Bay Community Centre. It will also deliver air conditioning, new seating, tables and storage facilities to enable multipurpose use for conferencing, meetings, education and music events.
Surf Coast Shire – $195,325
Project: Anglesea Football & Netball Club Car Park Upgrade
The car park upgrade will provide a safer environment and increase pedestrian safety for the wider community and visitors, as well as increase functionality and efficiency.
Anglesea Golf Club – $137,867
Project: Clubhouse Refurbishment
The refurbishment of the clubhouse will offer a more modern, comfortable and welcoming environment for the local community who utilise the venue as a meeting and function space.
Corangamite Shire – $30,000
Project: Air Ambulance Heli Pad
This project will upgrade the current helipad at Cobden Airport to concrete, providing all year round access.
Cobden District Health Service Inc – $185,580
Project: Cobden Gym Fit
The project will fit out the current gym with some great exercise equipment, TV and speakers/sound system, landscaping, temperature control and solar panels to help minimise running costs. The aim of the project is provide a fun, inclusive environment for fitness, well-being and social cohesion, accessible to people of any fitness level, ability and age.
Corangamite Shire Council – $40,000
Project: “Making Tracks” Redeveloping Mount Noorat’s Walking Tracks
The project will include upgrading the informal walking tracks and installing new associated infrastructure. Developing the walking track will ensure the Noorat community and all visitors to the Mount have the ability to experience the site in their own way and can safely navigate this remarkable dormant volcano.
Nurture in Nature – $128,888
Project: The Nature Bus: Growing Healthy Kids and Nature Connected Communities
The Nature Bus will see the conversion of a bus into a classroom on wheels, visiting local schools, early learning centres and community organisations to provide nature based learning programs, nature play and environmental stewardship initiatives. The Nature Bus will be the first of its kind in Australia.
Glenelg Shire Council – $33,469
Project: Portland Foreshore Swimming Pontoon
The swimming pool pontoon will provide a fun, active recreational element to the Portland foreshore space. The pontoon will add to the existing activities available in this space, encouraging physical activity, sport and outdoor recreation for the young, young at heart and tourists.
Warrnambool City Council – $59,179
Project: #WildVsWarrnambool
This project offers interactive public art pieces of the wild taking back Warrnambool. These art pieces will encourage greater fondness, curiosity and pride to local public spaces whilst celebrating the beautiful, wild natural Australian environment.
Warrnambool Community Garden Inc – $194,000
Project: A new life for the Community Garden Quarry
This project will transform the old quarry into an amphitheatre with a rainforest gully walk and native plants. It will be a contemplation space that will also hold regular community events, markets, music and performances. People can marvel at the ancient geology of the quarry wall that was once the seabed of the Warrnambool coast – now 1.4 kms away.
Friends of Warrnambool Botanic Gardens Inc – $198,000
Project: Nature based play space at Warrnambool Botanic Gardens
This project will provide an engaging nature-based play space to link children to the environment. Elements which encourage climbing, jumping, balancing and squeezing will be included, such as logs, rocks, ropes and old bridge timbers.
Inverleigh Kindergarten Inc – $200,000
Project: Inverleigh Community Play Space – Be Inspired!
This project will provide a new multi age play space for the Inverleigh community. The play space will incorporate a large multi-skill unit with slides, flying fox, ladders and rock wall. Beside this unit will be a 6 metre rope tower, rocker ride and quad swing set.