Community event spaces, play areas and streetscape activations are among ten projects sharing in nearly AUD 780,000 in funding, in the latest round of Australian ICMIF member RAC’s Reconnect WA initiative. Members of the mutual played a part in selecting the funding recipients by casting a vote on their favourite project.

This year is the third year of Reconnect WA and, in 2023, RAC will partner with 10 local governments across Perth and regional Western Australia (WA) to deliver projects to create vibrant streets and public spaces for local people.

This year’s funding brings the total amount provided under the initiative to nearly AUD 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,” said Walker.

“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 were asked to cast a vote for their favourite project and this year involvement and numbers of votes cast saw a big increase compared to 2022.

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

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

For more information on the Reconnect WA initiative and the projects to benefit, please visit RAC’s website.