Council is pleased to announce it has awarded grants to twelve local community groups through its Community Planning 'Small Grants' Program.
Off the back of Council's Community Planning Pilot Program, the Small Grants Program was designed as a one-off grant opportunity to support non-for-profit community groups and organisations in Yea, Marysville and Toolangi-Castella to deliver priority projects identified in each town's Community Plan. Funding has been made possible with the generous support of the Insurance Australia Group (IAG) and its local brand WFI.
Council's Director Community Engagement Shivaun Brown said Council is thrilled to support our communities through the Small Grants Program.
'We're pleased to say that so far, twelve community groups have received funding through the Program, with a total of $82,455 awarded, with one more project idea still being finalised.
In Yea, the Honour the Taungurung Public Art Project group was awarded $7,500 for the development of concept designs for an art installation. The project will include community consultation sessions so the wider community can be involved.
The group 2030 Yea Inc. received $7500 to support the first phase of its renewable energy project, which includes the development and distribution of a community survey and to seek expert opinion on some of the different ways Yea could operate on completely renewable energy by 2030.
The Yea and District Historic Society was awarded $7500 to prepare a feasibility study and facilitate a community consultation as the first steps towards opening a museum in Yea.
'In Toolangi - Castella, the Tennis Courts Action Group was served up (excuse the pun!) $7465 to carry out works around the Toolangi tennis courts to improve their useability. The Trails Action Group was also granted $7500 to work on the formalisation of trails that link Castella Park with the existing Tall Trees Trail and Monda Track, providing a safe trail for walkers, horse riders and bike riders.
'The Toolangi-Castella Local History Action Plan Group was awarded $7490 to create a short film series showcasing the history of the area. This will also go towards an exhibition day at the C.J. Dennis Hall in Toolangi.
The Hard Rubbish Action Group received $7500 to provide a short-term hard rubbish solution for Toolangi-Castella communities, specifically aimed at helping elderly community members and people with a disability. The funding is for a trial solution that will help determine levels of interest in the community in hard waste collection and will help the development of a long-term strategy for hard rubbish collection.
'In Marysville, we awarded $6000 to the Marysville Garden Beautification Committee for landscaping and establishing garden beds around MiRA. Marysville Triangle Youth Inc. received $6000 towards putting the finishing touches on the Youth Space in Marysville, including construction of bathrooms and accessible parking options.
'A group called 'Light Up the Trees Marysville' was awarded $6000 to purchase lighting and solar panels to provide light for the trees along Murchison Street in Marysville. And funding was also awarded to two projects focused on outdoor recreation. The Marysville Community Planning Committee – Cycling received $6000 to complete a feasibility study for the development of mountain bike trails in Marysville and the Marysville Iconic Trail Project Group was granted $6000 to develop and install signage on the first leg of the trail from Marysville to Dom Dom Saddle.
'It is very exciting to see these projects get off the ground and it's inspiring to see communities working together for the benefit of their towns', added Ms Brown.
'Seeing how successful our Community Planning Pilot Project was for the towns of Yea, Marysville and Toolangi-Castella, Council wants to give other communities the chance to work with us to develop their own Community Plan. Next up is Eildon! We'll have more information for you early in the New Year – stay tuned', Ms Brown added.
