Council
31 July, 2024
Shire funding flows across Corangamite Shire
ONE HUNDRED groups, organisations and committees across Corangamite Shire will share in more than $220,000 in council funding.
Councillors approved the Council Grant Program for 2024-25 at last week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council.
Shire manager economy and prosperity Katy McMahon said following the assessment process, it was proposed to allocate funding to 100 applicants to a total value of $221,102.60.
The 2024-25 annual grants funding programs included Community Grants; Enabling Grants; Facility Grants; Environment Support Grants and Events and Festival Grants.
Community Grants offered grants of up to $2000 with no requirement for in-kind or matched funding.
Forty-two applications were received, with 36 applications recommended for funding to the value of $58,346.
Successful applicants included:
Timboon Action Inc, $2000 for Timboon Makers and Farmers Markets;
Rotary Club of Cobden, $1000 for Carols by Candlelight 2024;
Cobden Scouts, $2000 for Kidding Around Cobden 2025;
South West Model Engineers Inc, $1334 towards painting at Cobden Miniature Railway;
Simpson Bowls Club Inc, $1056 for the construction of a barrier wall with benches and tables for gas barbecue;
Progressing Cobden Inc, $2000 for Swapmeet Motor Show and Foodtruck Saturday; and
Loch Ard Pony Club, $2000 for updating competition show jumping poles.
Enabling Grants provide grants of up to $5000 to develop the project scope, design and specification and to prepare an application for funding.
Four applicants applied requesting $20,000 which included:
Cobden Football Netball Club, $5000 for the development of facilities upgrade plans;
South Purrumbete Recreation Reserve Committee of Management Inc, $5000 for the Development of Strategic Plan and Community Vision; and
Timboon Demons Football Netball Club Inc, $5000 for goal post netting planning.
Facility Grants received 29 submissions, with 26 applications approved at a total allocation of $45,3000.40
Successful applicants included:
Timboon Golf Club, $2000 for disabled toilet access;
Cobden Junior Football Netball Club Inc, $2000 for water pump for oval irrigation,
Cobden Recreation Reserve Committee of Management Inc, $2000 for epoxy flooring in toilets;
Timboon Tennis Association, $652.50 for tennis net replacement;
Timboon Field and Game Club, $2000 for new chondel trap; and
Timboon Bowling Club, $599 for point of sale system upgrade and cash drawer purchase.
The project evaluation panel identified a total funding allocation of $47,356.20 to 18 Environment Support Grant applicants.
Successful applicants included:
Twelve Apostles Farmstay, $1200 for native shelterbelts and fencing of dam;
Camperdown Timboon Rail Trail Management Committee, $2913.70 for weed control on the trail;
Heytesbury District Landcare Network, $3000 for ‘Life of the Rail Trail’ community education; and
Power Creek Reserve, $2000 weed and pest control on the rail trail.
The popular Events and Festival Grant received 16 applications receiving $81,970 in support.
The oversubscribed grant program allocated $50,100 – which included $43,600 in cash contribution grant funding and $6500 as in-kind support for council services – alongside additional fee waivers.
Grants were awarded to:
Crayfest Port Campbell Inc, $7000 for Crayfest;
Timboon Action, $3000 for TRACKS Music Festival;
Timboon Field and Game Club Inc, $3000 as in-kind support for Shooting Clays Australia Timboon Nationals; and
South Western Model Engineers Inc, $2000 for Cobden Miniature Railway 30th birthday.
Shire 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.”