Community
17 January, 2024
Funds flow for community groups
FOUR local clubs received a funding boost from the Corangamite Shire Council.
At the December Ordinary Meeting of Council, councillors approved four applications for funding under the Facility Design Grants Program 2023/24 totalling $27,000.
Successful applicants in this year’s funding were:
Cobden Football Netball Club, $7500 towards surveyor costs for club room upgrades and a completion of a feature and level survey;
Pomborneit Cricket Club, $5600 for design plans for existing and proposed works of the Pomborneit Cricket Club including new club rooms;
Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club, $6700 towards surveyor costs to upgrade the surf club to address universal design requirements around accessibility and inclusion; and
Timboon Bowling Club, $7200 for design plans for alterations to clubrooms, amenities and entrance.
Shire manager facilities and recreation Jarrod Woff said council supports clubs and organisations in renewing or upgrading facilities to be fit for purpose and to meet the needs of users.
“In recent years, there has been a focus on female participation in sport and recreation and increasing access,” he said.
“This has highlighted the need for continued planning, improvement, and enhancement of facilities to reduce the barriers to participation for these community members.
“Council’s Facility Design Grants funding enables sporting clubs to fund schematic designs and quantity surveyor costs for the redevelopment of existing facilities, or for new facilities which support principles of universal designs and relevant facility development guidelines.”
Mr Woff said $30,000 had been allocated to the grant fund for 2023/24.
“This funding will fast track the development of equitable sport and recreation facilities across the shire,” he said.
“This will enable organisations with financial capacity and with relevant projects to be shovel ready for future applications to grant programs and will assist council in realising some efficiency in time and effort at the time of making grant applications in the future.”
Mayor Kate Makin said, an increase in funding was needed due to rising feamale participation.
“This has meant clubs need to improve their facilities so women, girls, and people with accessibility needs, can all participate,” she said.
“Council’s Facility Design Grants are designed to help do the preparation work, such as getting schematic designs or engaging quantity surveyors to prepare cost estimates for redevelopment or new builds.
“That level of detail is needed first before seeking funding for the physical works.”