More homes mean more opportunities and even better communities – that’s why the Allan Labor Government will launch Pick My Park, a program that won’t just create and upgrade more green spaces in growing suburbs, but also let you vote on where to spend $30 million worth of grants to deliver them.

Premier Jacinta Allan today joined Minister for Suburbs Sonya Kilkenny and Member for Footscray Katie Hall at Hansen Reserve in West Footscray to announce Pick My Park, allowing Victorians 16 and over to propose ideas for new parks or park upgrades in their growing community and then submit them to the public for their vote.

When the votes get counted, the most popular ideas will get a grant to deliver the local project – whether it’s a new park, a green space, a ‘pocket park’, a park upgrade, a playground, a basketball court, a sporting field, a BBQ, fitness equipment, tree planting, accessibility upgrades, new landscaping, shade and seating, urban greening, and more.

Grants for winning projects will range from $20,000 to $250,000 and will be available in two streams:

• Park Upgrades: focusing on improving existing parks and open spaces

• New Urban Parks: focusing on transforming underutilised land in growing urban areas into new green, open spaces for the whole community to enjoy.

The program is like Pick My Project, pioneered by the Labor Government in 2017, which also offered $30 million in grants of up to $200,000. Almost 100,000 Victorians had their say – and 237 projects got the go ahead.

Hansen Reserve was one of the successful projects under the original Pick My Project round. It got a new all-abilities bike park and a brand-new life thanks to a $200,000 grant and transformed itself into one of the most popular spaces for the local community, where parents can get together while kids learn how to ride their bike safely.

Other successful projects included new outdoor green space in the heart of the built-up shopping area in West Footscray, a vacant block in Carnegie that became a much-loved pocket park and gathering space, and the reinvention of Robinson Reserve in Merri-Bek into a local event and activity area with a community garden and café.

When Pick My Park starts next year, communities in Melbourne and in regional Victorian cities will vote for and fund their own ideas for parks, playgrounds and open spaces just like these wonderful new spaces – because that’s exactly what growing suburban areas deserve if more families are moving into the area.

The move builds on the Labor Government’s plans announced last week for a simple and statewide system for property developers to contribute to funding for local infrastructure, parks and services – starting with 10 busy suburban activity centres where more homes will go over time.

Pick My Park will target areas that are building more homes. As part of the eligibility criteria, 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.

As with Pick My Project, geographical quotas will apply so all growing areas share in funding, and a set portion of the funding pool will be reserved for growing urban areas in regional Victoria.

There will also be guidelines to make sure ideas submitted to the public for their vote are sensible and able to be delivered. Councils and organisations can also submit ideas. All projects will need the support of landowners, such as the local council, to proceed. Final program guidelines will be released ahead of submissions opening next year.

Alongside delivering new social and affordable homes and Australia’s largest housing project – the Suburban Rail Loop – Pick My Park is just one of the ways Government is building more homes and improving communities.

It’s also just one of a series of announcements the Government is making about more homes, more support for industry, infrastructure and parks, and more opportunity for renters, owners and buyers. To see more, visit vic.gov.au/more-homes.

Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan

“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.”

“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.”