Council's 2016/17 Community Funding Program opens soon
February 26, 2016
Applications open next month for Colac Otway Shire Council’s 2016/17 Community Funding Program.
Council endorsed a total of $145,000 in funding to be available this year for the program, subject to budget deliberations, at its meeting on Wednesday.
The Festival and Event Support Scheme was deferred until next month’s meeting due to a number of councillors having a conflict of interest.
Mayor Frank Buchanan encouraged clubs and community groups to submit an application for the Community Funding Program, which opens on Monday 21 March.
“The community funding program provides an excellent opportunity for projects which enhance our community and deliver a significant social as well as an economic return of over $500,000 through works and activities to be undertaken as part of the grants,” he said.
“Last year, 76 projects received funding across four categories in the Community Funding Program – Small Equipment and Training, Recreation Facilities, Community Projects and COPACC Assistance.
“We were pleased to be able to support great local projects such as $5,000 for the delivery of a special program to raise mental health awareness among young people, $5000 for the renovation of the Winifred Nance Kindergarten bathrooms and $900 for the Colac Specialist School to put on a production of The Wizard of Oz.”
Cr Buchanan said the Community Funding Program was an extremely important way for Council to support community projects, the arts and recreation in our community.
“This program enables groups to carry out improvements to facilities and programs which otherwise might not receive funding from state or federal government sources,” he said.
“It’s also an opportunity to reward and thank the many community members who provide recreation opportunities in the shire.
“Each year we receive a large number of applications and I encourage all potential applicants to start planning now if they want to submit a funding application,” he said.
Information sessions for the Community Funding Program and Festival and Event Support Scheme will take place in Colac and Apollo Bay in April to discuss funding criteria, the application process and relevant requirements with officers.
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Colac |
Apollo Bay |
Application forms and funding guidelines will be available at Council’s customer service centres in Colac and Apollo Bay, and on Council’s website www.colacotway.vic.gov.au from 21 March, 2016.
For further information, please contact Recreation and Open Space Coordinator, Nicole Frampton (03) 5232 9598.
Applications close Friday 29 April, 2016. Funding announcements will be made at a civic reception in July 2016.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400