Many community groups, community halls, organisations and Historical Societies across the Toowoomba Region have secured funding support for the next four financial years under the Core Community Support Program 2025-2029, endorsed at today's Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) Ordinary Meeting (Tuesday, 17 June).
TRC has committed $221,033 to support 68 beneficiaries for the 2025/26 financial year, which is almost 20% less than the previous financial year's budget (2024/25).
For the remaining three years of the current Core Community Support Program schedule (until the end of 2028/29 financial year) Council has endorsed a total budget of $654,372.
Community Development, Facilities and Tourism portfolio spokesperson Councillor James O'Shea said the program was vital to encouraging community wellbeing, promoting cultural expression, encouraging volunteerism and ensuring inclusivity within the Region.
"Council has carefully considered this budget, and I am satisfied it is appropriate given the tremendous value the program's beneficiaries provide our community," Cr O'Shea said.
The Core Community Support Program provides two types of financial assistance including insurance support for Historical Societies, Council owned and non-Council owned community halls, and consistent non-competitive payments made to community organisations such as Royal Show Societies, crime and safety initiatives, cultural and community assets.
"The community groups, halls, organisations and Historical Societies which receive support through this program are often at the centre of the community, providing connection and a key service for people in our Region. Our community venues are especially important considering there aren't many options of event locations in our Regional towns. I'm proud that Council can play a small part in continuing to support them," Cr O'Shea said.
"This program provides community groups a level of certainty regarding funding, which can help them plan for the future."
Unlike the competitive TRC's Grants Program, organisations included in the Core Community Support Program schedule are not required to make an application to receive funding. However, they do need to comply with conditions outlined in the funding agreement, such as key performance indicators, otherwise eligibility for future Core Support is void.
The program was implemented in 2012 to coordinate and manage historical community support funding.
The Core Community Support Program Schedule has previously been reviewed biannually; however today Council endorsed a change to see the schedule reviewed every four years, in alignment with the Term of Council.
To view the full list of beneficiaries for the support program, please view attachments 1 and 2 under the Core Community Support Program - 2025/26, 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 Report: Environment and Community Committee - 10 June 2025
Photo caption: A photograph of Cambooya Hall. The Cambooya Public Hall Association Inc will receive insurance support under the Core Community Support Program until the end of the 2028/29 financial year.
