Streetscape activations, play areas, and community event spaces are among ten projects sharing in nearly $780,000 in funding, in the latest round of RAC’s Reconnect WA initiative.

In the third year of Reconnect WA, RAC will partner with 10 local governments across Perth and regional WA to deliver projects to create vibrant streets and public spaces for Western Australians.

This brings the total amount provided under the initiative to nearly $2.7 million.

RAC Group Executive Social and Community Impact Patrick Walker said RAC is proud to support projects which change the look and feel of streets and public spaces.

“We’re excited to play a part in bringing vibrancy and energy back to our communities and creating inviting places for Western Australians to interact and connect,” Mr Walker said.

“By trialling ways of using our streets and outdoor public spaces for people to safely come together, these projects will help lay the foundations for longer term changes that support RAC’s vision for a safer, sustainable, and connected WA.”

RAC members played a part in selecting the funding recipients by casting a vote on their favourite project.

"For our third round of projects, we have seen a massive amount of interest from our members, with nearly 13,500 votes cast – 9000 more than the previous year,” Mr Walker said.

“We’re so pleased to have our members involved in the decision-making process for Reconnect WA and to see Western Australians passionate about making changes to improve their local communities.”

Reconnect WA encourages community participation in the projects, from helping in the design processes, to bringing the projects to life through volunteering.

“Participation from locals is so important because it helps to ensure these spaces reflect the values and needs of the community,” Mr Walker said.

“Communities are strongest when people feel connected to the people and places that matter to them.”

Reconnect WA has now funded 32 projects, sharing in a total of nearly $2.7 million.

For more information, please visit our website.

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Reconnect WA 2022-23 funding recipients and projects

Perth
  • City of South Perth: Upgrade of the Godwin Avenue drainage sump in Manning into an active community park with improved bike riding connections linking people to Canning train station, local schools, and Curtin University.
  • City of Gosnells: Creation of a vibrant five-year trial community space in a currently unused area and provision of new safe and welcoming pedestrian connections from the Gosnells train station to the town centre.
  • City of Vincent: Temporary reimagining of the laneway between View Street and the Rosemount Hotel car parks into a friendly shared zone with art, lighting, pop-up alfresco, vertical gardens, greenery, and places to sit and socialise.
  • Town of Mosman Park: Transformation of Solomon Street in Mosman Park using a pop-up bike lane to bridge a gap in the local path network and create a temporary local civic heart space.
Regional WA
  • Shire of Carnamah: A nature play area with a Big Bobtail centre piece to represent local First Nations groups located in the youth space on Carnamah's main street which is being developed in co-design with the youth of Carnamah.
  • Shire of Westonia: A community driven main street revitalisation that will enhance the vibrancy and amenity of Westonia’s town centre through heritage themed murals, shaded seating areas, lighting, bike racks, and four heritage shops.
  • Shire of Meekatharra: Enhancement of Meekatharra’s main street through improved pedestrian crossings and pavement art murals designed by local Indigenous artists.
  • Shire of Augusta Margaret River: Revitalisation of the Witchcliffe town centre and parkland to test elements of the streetscape plan before making permanent changes to upgrade the area.
  • Shire of Ravensthorpe: Upgrade of the underutilised Hopetoun foreshore space through art, safer bike riding connectivity, amenities, and facilities to support more people to use the space more often.
  • Shire of Morawa: Transformation of an underutilised space with Indigenous design elements, recycled and natural materials in unity with public art, and community participation, to create a gathering place for residents and visitors.

Media contact: Olivia Palmer, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au

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