More than 2300 community projects across that state have been pitted against each other for a share of $30 million in state government funding, in what some have described as “a popularity contest’’.

This comes as local councils say ratecapping has put added pressure on them to seek alternative avenues and partnerships to fund community projects.

Rate capping has put pressure on central Victorian councils’ ability to raise funds and means some have had to turn their financial focus to infrastructure ahead of community projects.

The state government introduced an indefinite rate cap at the end of 2015, which it said was in response to uncontrollable rate rises from local governments. 

Pick My Project will see a minimum of $1 million set aside for the Loddon Campaspe region, which includes Bendigo, Castlemaine and Kyneton.

Grants of between $20,000 and $200,000 will go to projects that secure the most votes during the voting period of August 13 to September 17.

Tribe Youth Theatre co-founder Kristen Beever said it was deflating to see how many projects in the Loddon-Campaspe area – including those partnered by a local government –  were competing with each other.

“They've still got to win the votes, in that sense it's a level playing field,” she said.

“But I'm concerned we're only inviting people into the shop window (and) can't make them buy our product.

“I kept looking for (projects) that would impact the most people. Some will only impact a small amount of people and I think a lot of people will do it tough. It's not easy.”

Tribe was established as part of Bendigo Theatre Company in 2017. In many ways, including funding, it operates independently to the theatre company.

“We started with absolutely nothing except three very passionate people with their hands out,” Mrs Beever said.  

“Because we had the experience of being part of BTC, we knew what we needed to do and knew there was a demand for it. 

“We're a small theatre company with big ambitions. We like to put on a good show and give people a good experience. We are doing that on the smell of an oily rag but we want to do more and do it better.”

One project's spokesman said while communities would be grateful for the chance to share in $30 million of funding, a popular vote was not the best way to distribute it.

"Making it a popularity contest, seems tokenistic," he said. "It seems projects like new bike paths are competing against projects that deal with suicide prevention.

"Other projects centre on establishments that already seem to have large amounts of funding."

The spokesman said the most worthwhile projects could be overlooked.

“Yes, we get three votes each, but when it comes down to it, it's a popularity contest," he said. "What happens to the projects, all worthwhile I'm sure, that don't win the popular vote?"

Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership chairman Nigel McGuckian hoped all of the projects could be advanced regardless of their success in Pick My Project.

“It will be interesting to see whether some of the larger projects get up or a lot of smaller ones,” he said. The most important thing is the awareness, we want as many people as possible to be aware of these projects.” 

The Loddon Campaspe region includes the Campaspe Shire, Central Goldfields Shire, City of Greater Bendigo, Loddon Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire and Mount Alexander Shire councils.

A number of Loddon Campaspe projects in Pick My Project have partnered with local councils.

City of Greater Bendigo acting corporate performance director Steven Abbott said while it was not unusual for councils to seek alternative funding sources, rate capping had put some pressure on the city’s capacity to deliver services.

“The city often works with other levels of government and community groups to jointly fund projects of various sizes,” he said.

“Councils cannot fund all projects and must make responsible financial decisions and investments on behalf of residents.

“The state government’s rate cap will put pressure on the city’s financial sustainability and capacity to continue to deliver services and infrastructure to our growing community.”

Campaspe Shire chief executive officer Jason Russell said it was not new to see grant applications competing with each other.

“(Campaspe) council continues to support the community through two grant programs,” he said.

“All grant programs projects compete against each other, and in our grant programs and the Pick My Project program this is no different.

“Council actively seeks funds to support projects through federal or state programs. In a rate capping environment, this focus to attract external funding has not changed.”

Loddon Shire Council chief executive officer Phil Pinyon said funding applications usually required councils to provide funds on a matching or one-to-one basis.

He also highlighted rate capping as a restraint on a council’s ability to raise funds.

“Financial support for community projects is just one area where funds are expended,” he said.

“Councils have a plethora of responsibilities where they have an obligation and commitment to spend money. Rate capping is a constraint on the ability of councils to raise funds, so overall expenditure in all functional areas needs to be carefully managed within the cap.”

Mr Pinyon said a local council’s ability to set priorities was important.

“It is likely that there will always be requests for funding that exceed available resources that then requires priorities to be set,” he said.

“Where appropriate, council partners with local businesses and community organisations to support funding applications to state and federal governments.”

Mr McGuckian said local and state governments should take note of the voting results.

“It can help (show) what is important to a community,” he said.

Visit www.pickmyproject.vic.gov.au for more details.