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Five communities in Latrobe City will benefit from new public artworks and innovative place making initiatives to support community pride, wellbeing and safety, thanks to $300,000 in funding from the Latrobe Health Assembly.

The Creative Latrobe Initiative will be delivered by Council, the Health Assembly and industry stakeholders in collaboration with community members.

The project will use a place making approach to co-design innovative place-based interventions to build community ownership of public spaces and increase feelings of safety and connection.

The work is taking place as an initiative of the Latrobe Health Innovation Zone with funding from the Latrobe Health Assembly in partnership with the Victorian Government.

Council endorsed the project proposal at its September Council meeting, reflecting on the significant benefits that public art provides to communities.

Mayor of Latrobe City Cr Kellie O’Callaghan acknowledged the link between the development of public art projects and healthy communities.

“We want our community members to feel empowered to work together to shape the outcomes of this project. Each town has its own culture, stories and aspirations, all of which may form part of the art that is created.

“Latrobe City Council would like to acknowledge the significant contributions and vision of the Latrobe Health Assembly in developing this project, which will provide a long-lasting legacy in our communities,” said the Mayor.

Latrobe Health Assembly Chair Tanya Rong said, “We are really excited to be partnering with Latrobe City Council to deliver this innovative and creative project. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to work with both Latrobe City Council and Latrobe Health Assembly to improve health and wellbeing outcomes in a new way”.

The project has been developed to align with Council’s and Public Art Policy.

The project is expected commence in the next month with the establishment of a Project Advisory Group, before it is rolled out in Churchill, Moe, Morwell, and another smaller community.

The second stage will include a larger ‘flagship’ place making project in Traralgon, incorporating the Whittakers Road and Bert Thompson Reserve underpasses.

It is anticipated that this project will include art, lighting, and infrastructure interventions. The first stage will be used to pilot the process and identify key learnings for implementation of the second stage.