Bellarine residents called on to pick their project

A DOG park, community fruit and vegetable garden, and toilet block for local playground are among ideas from Leopold residents that would make their community better.

The suggestions come after the state government launched its new $30 million “Pick My Project” fund.

Member for Bellarine Lisa Neville is calling on individuals, clubs, schools and other organisations right across the Bellarine to brainstorm and submit their ideas for projects they would like to get off the ground. Grants of between $20,000 and $200,000 will be made available for ideas ranging from cultural events to community gardens – anything that will make our local communities better places to live.

Leopold locals have shared their ideas of a toilet block at Bellrise Park in the Estuary, and shading over other local parks, a dog park, cinema, community fruit and vegetable garden, a better park in Kensington Estate.

“There is a huge grass area with a pokey little playground there,” one resident said.

“How about adding some play equipment for the kids to play on and adding a little basketball court or football field, just seems a waste to have all that area with nothing on it.”

In a Victorian-first, all residents aged 16 and over will be able to submit their idea for consideration under the program and then vote for the projects they think are most important.

All they’ll need is an idea that helps build a stronger community, and the backing of a local organisation, community group, school, local council, or other eligible group able to help deliver the project.

A series of community workshops will now take place across the state to provide more information about the initiative and support interested applicants.

Applications will remain open until Sunday June 24, with winning projects to be announced in September 2018.

To view the guidelines, find out more about the workshops and register your interest, visit pickmyproject.vic.gov.au.