Seventeen local organisations are set to benefit from a share of more than $48,000 in funding under Kempsey Shire Council's new Community Grants Program.
The 17 successful applicants were approved at Tuesday's Ordinary Council Meeting after being assessed against the eligibility criteria and then ranked against the assessment criteria.
The revised community grants program offers funding to active not-for-profit community groups so they can deliver community-led projects that benefit a range of age groups, interests and locations throughout the Shire.
"The revised program not only tripled the funding Council was offering to community groups, but it has also aimed to increase the skills within our community groups to successfully achieve funding," said Kempsey Shire Mayor Liz Campbell.
"Information sessions, dedicated staff support, and quality grant program guidelines meant that Council received high-quality applications for important projects right across the Shire."
The application process was managed through a dedicated online grants portal and assessment against published criteria has also helped Council's grant program reach best practice standards in fairness, equity and transparency.
Funds were made available across four categories including the Mayoral Community Fund, Environmental Levy Grants, Community Halls Grants and Sporting Grants.
Council received 27 applications across three of the four categories, with no applications submitted under the Community Halls grants. Those funds will be reinvested towards the ongoing maintenance costs of our Community Halls.
Council's Director Corporate and Commercial, Stephen Mitchell, congratulated the recipients and all the groups that took the time to submit an application.
"Council is thrilled to be able to support a great range of worthwhile projects that include providing specific sporting and community meeting equipment, activities for mothers groups and war widows and new community meeting spaces," Mr Mitchell said.
Successful applicants will be presented with their funding at a ceremony on Thursday 3 December.
Council staff will also work with unsuccessful applicants to offer feedback on their application and provide suggestions for improvement.
| Community Group | Project | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Levy Grants | ||
| Big Nobby Bushcare Group | Weed eradication | $5,000 |
| Hat Head Dune Care | Weed eradication | $5,000 |
| South West Rocks Community Dune Care | Weed eradication | $5,000 |
| Total | $15,000 | |
| Mayoral Community Fund | ||
| Thungutti Local Aboriginal Land Council | New playground | $5,000 |
| Wittitrin Progress Association | Community space | $1,966 |
| Mid North Coast Legacy | Widow support sessions | $2,500 |
| Icare Kempsey | New fridge | $3,220 |
| Stuarts Point Art House | Mothers group activities | $1,514 |
| Kempsey Family History Group | Local WW1 book | $800 |
| Total | $15,000 | |
| Sporting Grants | ||
| Macleay Valley Mountain Bikers | Trail signage | $1,912 |
| Kempsey Tennis Club | BBQ and seating | $2,266 |
| Lower Macleay Magpies RLFC | Training equipment | $2,449 |
| South West Rocks SLSC | Racing boards | $2,500 |
| Smithtown RLFC | Training equipment | $2,040 |
| Upper Macleay District Rodeo Association | New seating | $2,500 |
| Kempsey Macleay Dragon Boat Club | Paddles and life jackets | $2,500 |
| Rovers Cricket Club | Scoring equipment | $2,440 |
| Total | $18,607 | |
