$35,000 is available to spend on projects in your neighbourhood. Tell us how you would spend it to benefit the Burnside community.
Have you ever thought of great and creative ideas that would improve your experience at your local park? Can you suggest improvements to community spaces or buildings in Burnside?
Your Neighbourhood Budget is a participatory budgeting process. Council is seeking nominations from the community for projects to be completed on community land such as parks, reserves, road verges and community centres in the City of Burnside. These projects will be installed and maintained by Council in conjunction with you.
What is Participatory Budgeting?
Participatory budgeting is a different way to manage public money, and to engage people with local government, by giving community members the chance to vote on how to spend part of a public budget.
Every year the community contributes to the creation of Council’s business plan and budget via the Annual Community Survey (in November) and the Annual Business Plan and Budget engagement process (in May).
Your Neighbourhood Budget is another opportunity for the community to have a say in how some of their rates are spent.
In 2023/24 $35,000 has been allocated towards the implementation of small projects on Council land. Council will construct all successful projects, in line with the community’s submission and in conjunction with the successful applicants.
What kind of projects are eligible?
Capital projects subject to certain criteria are eligible. However, design work and research is not. Creative ideas or suggestions that will improve the community experience of a public place are eligible.
Some possible ideas include defibrillators, little libraries, possum boxes and native bee hotels.
Be creative – all suggestions are welcome.
To review the assessment criteria see or the documents in the Related Information section to the right of screen.
How will my application be assessed to go into the voting stage?
Council staff will review your application against the assessment criteria. Council will also need to take into account any impacts on the local area and community. If submissions do not meet the criteria, Council staff will work with you to improve your submission. Submissions must pass these criteria to progress to the community voting stage.
How are the winning projects selected?
Each resident/ratepayer will be able to select their four favourite ideas that they want installed. The most popular projects that fit within the $35,000 budget will be delivered by Council.
Applications open on Monday 27 February 2023 and close Friday 7 April 2023. Voting will be online via
Things to keep in mind
Council will be available to provide guidance and advice to help you with your submission. It is important that you consult with Council’s Projects Community Engagement Officer, Joe Marchington, for information about the location you select for your project, and the costs of materials, by phone on 8366 4200 or
Please encourage your neighbours to vote from 22 May – 16 June 2023 online at
Who can apply?
Everyone is encouraged to submit a suggestion. All that is required is a clever idea that meets the criteria. Individuals, community groups, schools and businesses are all eligible to apply.
Voting is only open to City of Burnside residents and ratepayers.
How do I apply?
- Discuss your idea with Council’s Projects Community Engagement Officer, Joe Marchington on 8366 4200 or
- Once you have all the background information, complete an online suggestion form at
Key dates to remember:
Applications open Monday 27 February 2023
Applications close Friday 7 April 2023
Voting opens Monday 22 May 2023
Voting closes Friday 16 June 2023
Winning projects announced July 2023 on
