The Coastal Communities Coming Together Alliance was successful in its application for a $140,580 State Government Community Building Initiative grant. From left: Lynette Keleher, Reverend Stephen Morris, Mary Madigan, Brendan Ball, Hastings MP Rosy Buchanan, Karl Stenman and Dan Garlick.By Alison Noonan
THE future looks brighter for neglected towns in Casey’s south following the allocation of a $140,000 State Government grant.
Hastings MP Rosy Buch-anan last week announced that Cranbourne South, Devon Meadows, Tooradin, the coastal villages and Pearcedale had been successful in their application for the $140,580 Community Building Initiative grant.
The Coastal Communities Coming Together Alliance was established by a host of community groups last year to map out the future of Casey’s southern towns.
They applied for the grant, which allows for the employment of a facilitator to work with small towns over a three-year period to work out the strengths and needs of the area and carry out identified projects.
Ms Buchanan said project leaders had already set a range of short and long-term priorities, including the construction of barbecues and community playgrounds, the development of new economic opportunities and better coordination of local services for young people and the elderly.
“These grants are about communities working out their own needs and developing solutions to turn around their fortunes.
“It has been the case that coastal communities in this area have been overlooked in the past and this grant marks the beginning of a bright new era,” she said.
Ms Buchanan said the best part of the program was the high level of community involvement.
“It is not about telling communities what the government thinks they need.
“We are saying, ‘here are the resources — you decide what you think your local community needs’.
“Additional support will also include running training, holding workshops to develop a local community plan and helping groups find the new resources their communities need,” she said.
The Friends of Warneet Association member Robin Dzedins said the group looked forward to the development of a range of projects through the Community Building Initiative program.
Ms Dzedins said such projects included training residents to recognise invasive weeds, promoting responsible pet ownership, encouraging children to appreciate the environment, improving day visitor facilities along the foreshore, and organising conducted environmental walks and information sessions.
Warneet Association President Andrew Dolan said the group would like to see the beautification of Warneet streetscapes, the running of another Coastal Villages Festival and improved transport for the isolated village.
