'Blank slate': Civic Green to get $131,000 power, lighting makeover

The $131,720 project will see lighting and power upgraded at the site to make it easier for things like food trucks that operate from the site during community events.

Moyne Shire Council will also get $93,791 to integrate Smart City technology in Port Fairy, Koroit and Mortlake.

The council's events and promotions service manager Lauren Edney said they were putting in more services to make the Civic Green more user-friendly to event organisers.

"So there will be power added into the perimeter of the site. There'll be additional water points and there'll be upgrades made to the stage to make additional power and lighting as well," she said.

Western Victoria MP Jacinta Ermacora said that by funding these initiatives the government was ensuring that regional towns in Western Victoria continue to thrive, offering improved amenities and greater opportunities for all.

Ms Ermacora said the beauty of the Civic Green was its versatility. "It's like a blank slate," she said.

She said the water and power upgrades would mean it could be used for more things.

Chief executive officer Andrew Mason said they wanted to make it as easy for event organisers and food trucks to use the space.

"We know that the Civic Green is the key meeting place and gathering place for Warrnambool. We want to make it as easy and effective to use as possible," he said.

The council said they had no other plans for the Civic Green. "It's certainly not removing grass," he said.

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the council applied for funding to upgrade the Civic Green with outdoor eating spaces raised as ideas.

It had created some images to stimulate discussion at the time - some impinging on the grassed areas - but those ideas have now been ruled out.

The state government's funding announcement was part of a $25 million council support package to help shovel-ready projects get off the ground in the state's biggest regional cities and surrounding towns.

The package funds projects that are designed to increase tourism, improve local infrastructure, strengthen businesses and empower volunteers - with grants ranging from $20,000 and $5 million depending on size and scope.

Minister for Regional Development Gayle Tierney said she was proud to support so many exciting projects across rural and regional Victoria that will lead to better public spaces, more economic activity and better outcomes for visitors and locals.

"These projects are shovel-ready meaning that we're ready to support better outcomes that benefit our regions sooner," she said.