Published on Tuesday, 30 September 2025 at 12:39:10 PM
Community groups, individuals, schools and local businesses are once again invited to apply for the City of Busselton’s popular ‘You Choose’ community funding program, returning for 2025/26 following its success in 2021/22 and 2023/24.
With a total funding pool of $100,000, ‘You Choose’ offers grants of up to $20,000 for community led projects or initiatives that aim to enhance neighbourhoods or benefit the broader Busselton community. Uniquely, the program gives residents the power to decide which projects receive funding through a participatory budgeting process.
In 2023/24, the program funded eight local initiatives including:
- A fire-wise, bushfire-ready garden in Dunsborough
- Expansion of Busselton’s Perinatal In-Home Services
- Veterinary support for Pets of Older Persons (POOPS)
- Conservation efforts to help save the snake-necked turtle
- Emergency egress improvements for mobility-impaired visitors to Busselton Jetty
- Restoration of St Mary’s Anglican Church historic garden
- The creation of Vasse Community Gardens
- The Dunsborough Community Repair CoOp, which diverted household items from landfill by restoring them for reuse
Mayor Phill Cronin said: “The program is a great example of community led decision making. In 2023/24 we distributed $96,304 to eight fantastic projects. The great success of this program is that the community gets to choose the projects they care about most.”
“We’re encouraging people to think creatively and look forward to seeing the inspiring ideas our community puts forward for 2025/26.”
Applications open on 6 October and close on 9 November 2025. Community voting will take place in January 2026.
For further information visit the You Choose project.
For enquiries email You.Choose@busselton.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9781 0444.
Objectives outlined in this statement are aligned with the City of Busselton’s Council Plan (2024 - 2034) Key Theme Leadership – We actively engage with community to deliver visionary, collaborative and accountable leadership.
Photo for general use: Dunsborough fire-wise garden community demonstration.
Ends. Media enquiries can be directed to pr@busselton.wa.gov.au
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