Calling on Strathbogie Shire residents to pitch their ideas for the 2024/25 Budget

Strathbogie Shire residents – it’s time to pitch your idea!

Strathbogie Shire Council’s annual Pitch my Project initiative is now open for ideas to include in the 2024/25 Budget.

Since we launched the Pitch my Project initiative, we’re proud to have funded almost 30 incredible ideas from our community.

As part of our commitment to continually improving our engagement, we’ll put the final decision making into the hands of the community through a participatory budgeting exercise.

We want our community to be involved in every step of the development of our 2024/25 Budget. This means we’re making sure we fund the projects and initiatives that matter to our residents.

Pitch ideas must be Council-led and delivered with no direct allocation of funds given to community groups, clubs, organisations or commercial business.

Council has proposed an allocation of $300,000 for Pitch My Project as part of the 2024/25 annual budget. Each of the six Strategic Focus Areas within the Council Plan will be allocated $50,000.

This year we’ve also include the opportunity to pitch infrastructure projects.

Pitches for infrastructure upgrades that demonstrate strong community benefit can be made through strategic focus areas five and six.

We’ve also released guidelines which include a clear assessment process, and the successful applications will be put to the community to decide which make it into the 2024/25 Budget.

“By putting the decision into the hands of our community we are showing our commitment to truly meaningful community involvement,” Strathbogie Shire Council Administrator Peter Stephenson said.

When it’s time to vote we’ll put all eligible projects on our engagement platform www.share.www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au, or you can head to our survey stations throughout the Shire.

But first, it’s time to pitch your ideas. Head to www.share.www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au to read the guidelines, find inspiration of past successful pitches and get pitching.

You’ll first be asked to contact a Council officer who will advise you about your pitch. There will also be an opportunity to attend an online information session on Tuesday January 30, 2024.

The pitch period will close at 5pm on Friday, February 23, 2024.