The Darebin City Council established an infrastructure fund and made a commitment to consult with the community to determine what this fund would be used for. Council decided to use a Citizens’ Jury process to get advice on how this money ($2m in 2014 – 2016) should be spent. The Council determined to accept the Jury’s recommendations – all or nothing.
The Darebin Participatory Budgeting Citizens’ Jury meet over four months for four full days and reviewed submissions from the Darebin community as well as ideas from the jurors. They presented their recommendations to the Mayor and Councillors on Monday 26 August, recommending eight specific infrastructure developments focused on supporting disadvantaged areas of their community with a new neighbourhood house in East Preston; supporting healthy communities though exercise equipment in parks, an outdoor multipurpose sports courts, development of the Croxton School bike path and upgrading the KP Hardiman Reserve; connecting the community through activation of All Nations park hilltop and a pop-up piazza; with any remaining funds be spent on the local community gardens.
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