A total of 44 local projects within a 50 kilometre radius of Warrnambool are seeking public votes to get funding through the innovative state government program that has a $30 million to allocate across the state.

The $30 million will be spread across nine regional areas and six metropolitan areas with each area to receive at least $1 million.

Other local projects nominated for funding include better facilities for girls’ cricket at the Mack and Bushfield ovals, a behavioural change program to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean and the Welcome Project that enables local people to meet with newcomers.

Local residents have until September 17 to vote via the Pick My Project website for three projects of their choice, giving them the final say in which projects get funding.

Projects costing between $20,000 and $200,000 are eligible under the program. 

Successful projects will be announced in September.

Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said the government had “been blown away by the incredible ideas and initiatives put forward by regional Victorians.”

Several proposed Pick My Project proposals have already been publicised in The Standard as their proponents seek to gather public support for their ideas.

Other local projects seeking votes include the world premiere of a locally composed symphony, a nature based play space at the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens and the redevelopment of walking tracks around Mount Noorat.

Proposed upgrades for community facilities also in the running include better lighting at the South Warrnambool netball courts, a new animals pavilion at the Warrnambool showgrounds, toilets at Woodford’s Jubilee Park and updating the Warrnambool Lawn Tennis Club. 

Among the projects submitted for funding in surrounding areas that are outside the Warrnambool votable area are Progressing Cobden’s bid for a business development officer, restoring Camperdown Botanic Gardens’ rotunda and installing worm farms at food businesses in Port Campbell.