A new community bike track in Richardson and a community-driven project to enhance local events in Page are the winning ideas in the My Little Big Idea pilot.
Announced in September, the ACT Government initiative aims to involve the community in the decision-making process. Up to $40,000 is available per suburb for ideas to improve community wellbeing.
Residents in Page and Richardson submitted their ideas, assessed them, and voted for their preferred submission.
In Page, $40,000 will be provided to the Gathering Place and Community Market project. Local businesses, the Belconnen Community Men’s Shed, and community members will install and maintain new landscaping and a shade sail at the local shops. This will make the space more welcoming as a gathering place and enhance their community events, including a regular community market, already held at the shops precinct.“Page can be proud of our already active and connected community, generously supported by local businesses,” said Gordon Cooper, of the Belconnen Men’s Shed. “The enhancements to the local shop precinct will mean the space will be more welcoming and accessible, and we can hold more community events, for longer, with less concerns about the weather.”
In Richardson, $40,000 will be provided to construct and maintain a new dirt ‘pump’ track. Richardson Primary School will lead and maintain the project, and the Richardson community can be involved in all stages of design and construction. It will be built on public land, and once open, will be available to the wider community to enjoy. Planning support will be provided for the community-built track through the ACT Government’s Bumps and Berms dirt bike track program.“We look forward to working with our students and community members to plan and design a bike track in the space behind our school,” Anna Wilson, principal of Richardson Primary School, said. “We also look forward to the new track connecting families in our community and offering an enjoyable fitness option for young people.”
Both projects align with the pilot’s key goal of ‘making communities more connected and resilient’, and will be accessible to a range of community members and stakeholders, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said.The winning ideas will be funded and implemented in 2024.
This initiative to encourage neighbourhood democracy is a commitment under the 10th Parliamentary and Governing Agreement.
