RESIDENTS across Mitchell and Macedon Ranges Shires and other
fast-growing fringe communities have been left scratching their heads after being overlooked in the State Government’s newly launched Pick My Park initiative, while Premier Jacinta Allan’s hometown of Bendigo has made the cut.
The $30 million program, announced this week by Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing, invites community members from select suburbs in Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong and notably, Bendigo — to provide feedback on how their local parks can be improved.
But locals in towns such as Wallan, Kilmore, Seymour, and Broadford, all experiencing rapid residential development and population growth, have been left off the eligible list, despite being in desperate need of upgraded green spaces and recreation facilities.
Critics say it’s yet another example of city and inner-regional bias, where growth areas are left behind while pet projects in politically convenient locations receive attention.
“This is a slap in the face to outer suburban and peri-urban communities,” one local resident said.
“We’ve got young families, new housing estates, and not enough playgrounds, shaded areas or green spaces to meet demand, yet somehow Bendigo makes the list again?”
The program offers grants between $20,000 and $250,000 for projects such as new playgrounds, pocket parks, upgraded paths, fitness stations, and accessibility improvements. Residents in eligible areas can pitch ideas online and later vote on preferred projects.
Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said that it was frustrating that once again the Mitchell Shire has been overlooked in a program that is supposedly designed to support growing communities.
“The government has imposed housing targets on our region, expecting a more than 300 per cent increase in the number of homes, but still refuses to invest in the infrastructure our communities desperately need,” she said.
“We have seen the shocking consequences of planning failures in other parts of Victoria, where social problems escalate, communities are ignored, and locals are left without suitable access to amenities and crucial services.
“Unfortunately, the same mistakes are being repeated here while the government continues to pork-barrel projects into their own city-centric electorates. It is disappointing to see a complete lack of advocacy from Labor MPs who are supposed to represent the people living in these growing communities.
“If the government is serious about managing growth, then our local towns deserve real investment and support, not to be treated as an afterthought.”
The government says the program is aimed at areas building more homes, particularly around Suburban Rail Loop precincts and activity centres. But with major residential developments taking place throughout the Mitchell Shire and surrounding growth corridors, locals are asking why their towns were excluded.
While the Premier’s backyard is set to benefit once more, residents in forgotten regions are left wondering whether their postcode, or their Premier, is the real barrier to securing vital community infrastructure.