Voting has opened for Merri-bek’s Community Budget Ideas. There are many projects aimed at improving our climate resilience. You can vote online, but it’s best to vote at the pop-ups. The first pop-up is at Brunswick Town Hall on Saturday February 24, 11am-1pm.

We recommend the following projects (you can vote for three):

• Picnic tables in our neighbourhood parks (CAM’s suggestion!)
• More seats on walking routes to the shops
• Drinking fountains in shopping strips
• Permaculture education
• Accelerate the installation of sun shades over Merri-bek’s playgrounds

How to vote

Vote in person at the following pop-ups

• Saturday 24 February 2024, 11am – 1pm, Brunswick Townhall (outside on Sydney Rd)
• Thursday 29 February 2024, 3.30pm to 5.30pm, Pascoe Vale Train Station
• Saturday 2 March 2024, 11am to 1pm, Coburg Farmers Market
• Wednesday 6 March 2024, 10am -12 noon, Glenroy Community Hub
• Thursday 7 March 2024, 3.30pm to 5.30pm, Fawkner Library

More details on the Community Budget Ideas and a link to voting online at: https://conversations.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/community-budget-ideas-2425

Some background information

Picnic tables in our neighbourhood parks: There are plenty of studies that show how picnic tables can encourage people to use our parks. Having a picnic table encourages people to socialise in parks and be more physically active.

More seats on walking routes to the shops: CAM has been advocating for public seating along principal pedestrian routes. People with mobility challenges are deterred from walking due to the lack of seats. This not only has health implications but also increases car usage.

Drinking fountains in shopping strips: Check out our post regarding our last year’s submission for drinking fountains in shopping strips here. Our idea was one of last year’s winners, but clearly we need more drinking fountains.

Permaculture education: “Permaculture is a design system for the creation of socially, economically and ecologically sustainable settlements, whether in rural areas or metropolitan cities.” (Bill Mollison) You can find out more about permaculture education here.

Accelerate the installation of sun shades over Merri-bek’s playgrounds: Check out our posts here and here on sun shades in Merri-bek’s playgrounds. This idea was one of the winners last year too, but we need much more money so that all the playgrounds can be shaded.