Funds for town projects

Community driven projects in Nilma North, Tetoora Road and Tanjil Bren will be funded as part of Baw Baw Shire’s annual placemaking program.

Residents in the three towns will now work with council to develop priorities for projects to be funded through the initiative.

In a change to previous years, the three towns will receive $60,000 each.

Previously, the program has provided $200,000 annual to be shared among four towns.

The projects are designed to add to the physical and social character of the town and contribute positively to the community’s health, happiness, and wellbeing.

Following a review of the existing town selection criteria, Council introduced a ranking system to provide a more objective selection process.

Council will undergo a series of engagement activities with each town, beginning with an initial registration of interest, followed by community group meetings and consultation sessions.

Council will engage with all three communities throughout each phase of the program.

Cr Peter Kostos said this was an excellent program and a lot had been delivered.

“In this case we have two well supported communities in Nilma North and Tetoora Road, with some of our best run and passionate committee groups.

“Tanjil Bren has a very small community however as we’ve seen as late, Tanjil Bren has been cut off from the recent storm damage and will be a very well deserving town to take part in the program,” he said.

Cr Michael Leaney said the program had delivered results for small and remote communities.

“There had been a long period that small communities hadn’t had the love they needed,” he said.

“The new selection criteria is far more comprehensive and allows eligible communities to be more proactive in approaching council to be included in the program if they have a valid idea or proposal,” he said.

Cr Leaney said he was pleased the program was now providing $60,000 to each town – “$50,000 wasn’t quite enough to deliver the works and projects that needed to be done.”

Mayor Danny Goss said the program offered people that live in and around these townships direct involvement in shaping their development by selecting the projects that mean the most to them.

The placemaking program has previously funded a variety of infrastructure works to 12 small towns and rural areas in the shire.

All projects delivered through the program follow an extensive engagement process where communities prioritise their preferred projects that deliver maximum community benefit.