A PUBLIC vote will determine which of the 16 projects pitched by the Lake Macquarie community will win state government funding.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The proposed projects include scoreboards at PCYC Morisset, a community kitchen in Toronto, and adaptive electric mountain bikes for people with a disability, in Cooranbong.
The 16 projects were nominated by local community groups in April and May. Projects requiring $20,000 to $200,000 in funding were eligible.
The public is now invited to vote for their favourite project.
The funding is being offered by the state government as part of the new My Community Project program.
Bev McWilliam, a member of the St Joseph's Catholic Church, in Toronto, praised the program.
"This gives people the potential to make a difference in their own backyard," Ms McWilliam said.
The church hopes to win $34,000 funding for its proposed community kitchen.
"The grant would allow us to buy suitable catering equipment for the kitchen," she said.
"We have a heart to serve others, especially those in need. Sharing a meal at a table is a simple but powerful way of connecting and forming a relationship.
"Our volunteers will serve a meal, but also sit and listen to our guests. We have a beautiful bushland space to share with members of the community who might need a meal, or just as importantly a smile, a listening ear, and some companionship."
The projects nominated in Lake Macquarie are.-
- Installation of scoreboards, shot clocks, and scoring bench, at PCYC Morisset ($20,647);
- Lakelands playground rejuvenation ($165,000);
- Installation of a swimming stroke lab, in Toronto ($82,115);
- Carer support group respite program, in Cooranbong ($20,000);
- School shade structure, at Cardiff South Public School ($35,000);
- FixMyStreet Lake Macquarie app, in Balcolyn ($27,500);
- Woodrising Neighbourhood Centre solar project ($21,496);
- Managing big emotions program for children, in Booragul ($28,830);
- All-ability and -ages community hub, in Morisset ($193,027);
- Textile recycling and sewing hub, in Toronto (118,370);
- Adaptive bikes for the community, in Cooranbong (196,210);
- Macquarie Hills Community Pre-School revitalisation ($29,097);
- Toronto Community Kitchen ($34,000);
- Teralba Scout Hall solar power installation ($25,000);
- Coal Point Public School nature space and community hub ($198,086); and
- Sun-safe covered grandstand at Finnan Oval, Blackalls Park ($36,510).
Voting is open to residents of Lake Macquarie aged 16 years or older who have a valid Medicare card.
Voting is now open and closes on August 15.
Elizabeth Addis is involved in the Coal Point Public School proposal. She encouraged locals to visit the mycommunityproject.service.nsw.gov.au website and check out each of the 16 projects before casting their vote.
"The projects have already been approved by the NSW government for eligibility, so voting is the final stage in bringing state money to our local electorate," Ms Addis said.
"The project that I am involved with is Coal Point Public School nature space and community hub.
"This is a large landscaping and public facility improvement project that will revitalise the school grounds bordering the bushland and create an attractive space that everyone can access to play, exercise, explore and relax."
To vote, locals will need to log in to a MyServiceNSW account. Locals who do not have an account can sign up on the Service NSW website, call 137 788, or visit a Service NSW Centre (in Morisset Library or Toronto Town Square, off The Boulevarde).