Kate Cherrett, Barry Smith and Sladjana Fiedler are the latest to add their names to the ‘Pick my Project’ submissions.

Their concept of a seabird sculpture trail connecting Warrnambool’s CBD to Lake Pertobe and the foreshore, is one of 2500 submitted across Victoria.

Pick my Project is a Victorian Government initiative offering communities a share of $30 million to create their top three eligible projects.

Projects with the most votes will share in the $30 million funding, with between $20,000 and $200,000 available for each project idea.

The $30 million in funding has been divided between the six metropolitan and nine regional partnership areas, with each to receive at least $1 million for project ideas in their area.

Voting opens August 13 and closes September 17.

Ms Cherrett said urgency was needed before funding went elsewhere.

“The community need to vote or funding will go to other communities in the region,” she said.

Artshack owner Ms Cherrett developed the seabird sculpture submission from an original design by artist Barry Smith, sponsored by Sladjana Fiedler.

“The sculpture trail would be a realistic representation of 20 large bronze sea bird sculptures with a one-metre wing span spaced at regular intervals, with information plagues about the species,” Ms Cherrett said.

“The sculpture trail will begin at the southern end of Liebig Street near the Warrnambool Art Gallery and extend to the foreshore promenade via Cannon Hill and Lake Pertobe.”

Former Deakin Warrnambool Fine Arts graduate Barry Smith said the project would be split into two stages.

“Bronze sculptures and the casting process involved is a costly process,” he said. “Pick my Project would cover stage one and I want to involve the community in stage two.

“In stage two we would sell the original bird castings and then seek support from Warrnambool businesses in covering the costs for the remaining 12 sculptures to continue along the foreshore to the Thunder Point Coastal Walk.

“Businesses within the Warrnambool region will be approached and encouraged to sponsor a bird sculpture.”

”Some of these birds are endangered species so the trail is an educational asset for Warrnambool as well.”