Warrnambool projects will include a unique and creative play space in the city’s botanic gardens, four new evolving murals and a redeveloped space at the community garden. 

The Friends of Warrnambool Botanic Gardens committee put forward the nature-based play space project.

Vice president Janet McDonald said children would be able to get dirty in the outdoors.

“Children will have yet another reason to come to the gardens,” she said.

“Children love climbing on the cannons, and the roots of the large fig trees. This will give them another area to rush towards.”

President Pat Varley said she was “absolutely delighted and somewhat amazed” the project had been selected. 

It will be built using natural and recycled materials, with no plastic or cost to parents. 

Elements which encourage climbing, jumping, balancing and squeezing will be included, with logs, rocks, ropes and old bridge timbers featuring in the play space. The project was given $198,000. 

Warrnambool Community Garden deputy convenor Geoff Rollinson said the project was about giving the quarry “a new life”.

The organsiation recieved $194,000 to create a new community space. 

“There was a lot of stiff competiton and we are delighted,” he said.

Convenor Julie Eagle there would be a rainforest gully walk with water, another water feature and the natural amphitheater would be used for performances, markets and other events.

She should there would also be a walk around the quarry and a viewing area that will show off the view across Warrnambool. 

Artist Jimmi Buscombe, who went viral with his impression of a wombat on the side of a city bridge, said he was speechless.

“It’s a bit of a shock just because there has been so much going on,” he said.

Buscombe, who is working at the Werribee Open Range Zoo painting murals, said since he had made the choice to become a full-time artist and give up his job as a chef his world had completely changed.

“It’s really affirming that the fact I was questioning where my art was meant to be and since I put it out to the universe it has been answered ten-fold,” he said. 

“I love my art being for the community and people reacting to it. I feel overwhelmed. It ticks so many boxes. It’s such a massive icing on all already lovely cake.” 

The murals will be painted at four locations including the wombat bridge on Flaxman Street, the Simpson Street bridge, the Jean Jail down to the Coles car park and another location to be announced.

Called #WildVSWarrnambool the project is about nature clawing back territory from human structures.

“The murals will develop and tell a story over time,” he said.

“People will be able to follow them over time.”

He was given $59,000 to complete the artworks. 

Labor party candidate Kylie Gaston said more than 13,500 people from across the region voted for their favourite projects.

“The Andrews Government has given $1.069 million,” she said.

“The government is thrilled with how it has been taken up by communities across the state. It’s a credit to everyone who put in applications. It has been so well received. It was a vote for community groups from their own community.” 

Cobden was also a winner, with the community gym to receive new equipment valued at $185,000.

A heli-pad, valued at $30,000 will also be built for the air ambulance to land on.

The Nature Bus, valued at $128,888 will see the conversion of a bus into a classroom on wheels, visiting local schools, early learning centres and community organisations to provide nature based learning programs, nature play and environmental stewardship initiatives.

Noorat’s walking tracks will also be redeveloped, which was valued at $40,000. 

Summer swimmers will also benefit in Portland, with a pontoon to be established in the water adjacent to the foreshore. That project was valued at $33,469.

The amenities at the Cavendish Recreation Reserve will also be replaced, with the project costing $199,985.