Council has approved the allocation of $58,371 for the July round of the Community Support Grant Program.
The program remains open through the year (or until funds are expended) and is designed to support the community to deliver quality programs, projects or events that build connections and celebrate the local community.
Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said Council was committed to helping community groups to flourish on the Central Coast.
“Community groups are at the heart of what makes the Coast such a great place to live work and play and Council is thrilled to support a range of activities through our grants program,” Hart said.
“We encourage local groups to apply for small amounts of funding or in-kind support to help deliver important programs for the Coast.”
The Community Support Grants for 2021-22 has a total budget of $300,000 and is funded through existing and approved Operational Plan budgets.
Community groups who are a legally constituted not-for-profit organisations can apply for up to $5,000 per project per financial year in combined funding and in-kind Council services.
At its October 26 meeting, Council approved 21 applications across the Coast, including Summerland Point Progress Association, $2,442 to establish a footpath and garden edging in a pocket park in Gwandalan; Tuggerah Rural Fire Brigade, $5,000 and Volunteer Marine Rescue, $2,380, both for equipment.
Tuggerah Lakes Art Society, $2,156 for its Fab Fakes exhibition; Wyong Shire Garden Competition Committee, $4,006 for its 48th annual event; Central Coast Kids in Need, $2,092 for the 24th annual three-day Adam Molch Hillier Memorial Surf Classic held at Shelly Beach.
Central Coast Country Music Association is assisted with $576 to cover hiring Hamlyn Terrace Community Centre for its monthly workshops; Ourimbah Region Residents Association gets $811 to subsidise hall costs, Shoebox Revolution will receive a rental subsidy of $5,000 at The Entrance Community Centre and Wyongah Progress Association is being helped by a 50 per cent rates subsidy of $1,620.
Mannering Park Tidy Towns will get $1,000 towards its project to reduce noxious weeds and soil erosion.
Cycling skills workshops for school children, run by Northern Lakes Neighbourhood Centre, will be boosted by a $1,596 grant.
A $4,721 kitchen upgrade at Yarramalong School of Arts hall has been funded, and others to receive funding grants include Central Coast Bonsai Club $3,700; Art at Work $3,528; Happiness Habits $4,913; Zonta Club $2,020; and Central Coast Group Training $5,000.
Sue Murray