Council
1 August, 2024
Funds flow for community groups and events
ONE hundred community and individual projects will share in over $220,000 from Corangamite Shire Council’s 2024-2025 grants program.
Funding from Community Grants, Enabling Grants, Facility Grants, Environment Support Grants and Events and Festivals Grants programs was allocated at last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Mayor Kate Makin said allocating funding through the grants programs was an annual highlight for council.
“It is one of the most valuable ways we can support our communities,” she said.
“It’s fabulous that so many people are proactive and volunteer their time to make our communities great places to live.
“I look forward to seeing lots of these projects roll out over the next year.”
The Community Grants Program offers up to $2000 towards community activities and events including workshops and equipment purchases, planning activities and the development of new community, leisure, cultural or recreational programs.
Thirty-six successful applicants received a combined $58,346, including Terang and District Lions Club ($2000 for the Noorat to Terang Fun Run), Terang Traders Association ($2000 for Gala Night 2024) and Ecklin Hall Committee ($1800 for Ecklin Community Christmas Night).
Terang and Mortlake Football Netball Club also cashed in ($2000 to purchase netball uniforms and equipment) while Terang Bowling Club ($375 to purchase a portable ramp) and Noorat and District Residents Association ($500 for a social event to welcome new residents to town) also received funding.
The Facility Grants Program offers up to $2000 (on a dollar-for-dollar basis) to committees and clubs or organisations whose primary function in the shire is to help with facility improvements or equipment.
Twenty-nine successful applications received a combined $45,300.40 including Terang and District Indoor Sports and Recreation Centre ($2000 to upgrade security system and $624.50 to upgrade vacuum equipment), Boorcan Recreation Reserve ($1664 for CCTV security system), Terang Adult Riding Club ($417.50 for dressage area markers).
The Terang Golf Club received $1500 for drainage repair and $2000 for hydraulic tipper trailer in addition to the Dixie Hall and Tennis Court Reserve Committee ($2000 for seating area and external maintenance) and Terang Recreation Reserve Committee of Management ($395 for siren replacement).
The Enabling Grants Program offers up to $5000 to assist community groups to develop shovel-ready projects.
These grants can pay for business case preparation, scoping, community consultation, plans and drawings, permits and approvals or engagement of professional grant-writing or other assistance to secure project funding.
Four successful applicants received a combined $20,000, which included Terang and District Lions Club receiving $5000 for an extension of the caravan park.
The Environment Support Grants Program offers up to $3000 (on a dollar-for-dollar basis) for environment and sustainability projects, including installation of energy and water saving items at community facilities.
Eighteen applications received a combined $47,356.20 including Ecklin Cricket Club ($2400 for double glaze window upgrade) and Terang and District Indoor Sports and Recreation Centre ($2667 to upgrade three televisions).
The Events and Festivals Grants program includes two streams: Local and Signature events and festivals. Local events and festivals are smaller scale events with available funding of up to $3000.
Signature events and festivals are larger scale events with available funding of up to $7000 of both grant and in-kind.
Sixteen successful applicants received a combined $43,600 funding and $6500 in-kind support, which includes Terang and District Progress Association ($7000 inclusive of $500 in-kind for the Colour Terang Festival 2024) and Noorat and District Ag and Pastoral Society ($2100 and a $900 fee waiver).