LOCAL LIFE
Apply now to bring your bright idea to life
by Kerrie Davies
How many times have you wished we
had this or that in the local area, or wished
governments would run certain local
projects that would benefit the local area
and its people?
Many of us come up with ideas from
time to time that we believe would
enhance our community.
If you are one of these people it’s time
to bring your idea to life, with applications
for My Community Project (MCP) now
open.
The NSW Government is encouraging
people to get their applications in to
enable each community to decide on the
best projects to enhance their area.
The project relies on local residents
to come up with the brainwave ideas, an
establishment to sponsor the idea and
then the public to decide which ideas
they’d like to see implemented.
“My Community Project gives you
the chance to develop your great idea
to revitalise or renew your community,
whether that be through a community
garden, a cultural fair, or a safe and
inclusive playground,” said Riverstone MP
Kevin Conolly.
“Through this program, locals can
think about what their area needs and
develop that idea with a project sponsor.
“Once we have the eligible project
applications for each area, we will invite
the community to get behind them by
casting a vote online for the projects they
like the most.”
4 ISSUE 47 // MAY 2019
Funding of
$24.4 million
will be evenly
split across NSW
electorates and
made available for
projects valued
between $20,000
and $200,000
that will make
communities
more liveable,
cultural,
accessible, safe,
revitalised or
healthy.
Treasurer
Dominic Perrottet
said the pilot
program was
established by the
NSW Government
as part of the
2018 Budget and
is made possible
by the NSW
What is your bright idea for our community?
Generations Fund.
across NSW.”
“The NSW Generations Fund is a
If you have a bright idea, now is the
sovereign fund that will be used to pay
time to get started:
down debt, while also sharing the benefit
Step 1. Contact a sponsor to see if
of its returns with the people of NSW by
they’ll support your project – it could be
providing funding to communities via
your council, school or a charity.
local, citizen-led projects,” Mr Perrottet
Step 2. Complete Part One of the
said.
application form online and click ‘submit’
“Thanks to the NSW Government’s
strong financial management, we have the to send to your sponsor (remember to
funds available to deliver projects that will allow enough time for your sponsor to
complete it).
make a real difference for communities
Step 3. Have your sponsor complete
Part Two of the application and submit the
final version before 2pm on Wednesday 15
May 2019.
Applicants and sponsors will be
notified if their project progresses to the
public vote.
To read the My Community Project
guidelines, view a fact sheet or lodge
an application, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/
mycommunityproject
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