Cade Lucas
Premier Jacinta Allan visited Hansen Reserve in West Footscray on Monday to launch the Pick My Park program.
The program invites Victorians to propose ideas for new parks or park upgrades in their community which the general public can then vote for.
The most popular ideas will receive grants ranging from $20,000 to $250,000 to ensure they’re delivered.
The grants will be offered in two streams, park upgrades focusing on improving existing parks and open spaces and new urban parks which transform underutilised land in growing urban areas into new green, open spaces.
Pick My Park is modelled on the earlier Pick My Project program offered by the state government in 2017 where nearly 100,000 Victorians voted for 237 projects that shared in $30 million worth of funding grants.
Hansen Reserve was one of the beneficiaries of the Prick My Project – receiving a $200,000 grant for a new all-abilities bike park – which was why the premier, Suburbs Minister Sonya Kilkenny and Footscray MP Katie Hall, chose it to launch the successor program.
“Submit your idea, cast your vote, pick your park – it’s that simple, and it will mean new and upgraded green spaces for kids and families in growing suburbs across Victoria,” said Ms Allan who added that the program fit with the government’s recently announced housing policies.
“One of the great benefits of ‘gentle density’ is suburban renewal – that’s why we’re creating and upgrading some wonderful, shared spaces that should be at the heart of every community.”
Ms Hall said her electorate had benefited greatly from grants provided under the previous program.
“Hansen Reserve has become a beating heart of this community, full of families and kids making memories,” she said.
“With Pick My Park, we can do it all again – but we need your new ideas.”
Pick My Park will target areas that are building more homes and ideas will only go to a vote if they are in established areas that are growing – particularly those that have less access to open space.
Councils and organisations can also submit ideas and all projects will need to meet program guidelines and have the support of landowners to proceed.
Details: vic.gov.au/more-homes
