Favourite projects win support

Twelve Wimmera-southern Mallee projects have attracted State Government support after tasting success in a $30-million Pick My Project grants program.

The Victorian-first program put the decision-making power in the hands of the public.

Community members voted online for the projects they would like to see funded in their region.

Nine Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership projects won a share of $1.112-million in funding, with one successful project in the Mallee and two in the Central Highlands partnership regions.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said Pick My Project gave all Victorian residents aged 16 and older an opportunity to submit an idea for a project or program that made their community a better place to live. People were then given the chance to vote. More than 95,000 Victorians cast votes, with successful projects receiving grants of between $20,000 and $200,000.

Successful projects include – Wimmera-southern Mallee: $140,280 to light up Goroke’s tennis and netball courts, 229 votes received; $102,100 for a silo art project at Goroke, 209; $36,000 for an Upper Central Gully Walking Track repair project at Mt Arapiles, 198; $35,673 to replace stage curtains in Murtoa Town Hall, 194; $152,501 for visitor accommodation at Murtoa’s Lake Marma, 192; $60,000 for pedal boats on the Wimmera River at Horsham, 186; $186,680 for a work-skills and social centre for CALD women and adults with disabilities, 182; $199,600 to extend the Wimmera Mallee Tourism Silo Art trail to Serviceton and Kaniva, 180; $200,000 for an open community arts and reflection space at the former Dimboola Hotel site, 177. Central Highlands: $129,000 to upgrade Willaura tennis courts to multipurpose courts, 189 votes received; $192,000 to fix Ararat Fitness Centre’s basketball court and scoreboard, 183. Mallee: $115,480 for silo art at Nullawil, 279 votes received.