By Jessica Anstice
Applications for Cardinia Shire Council’s 2020-21 community grants have opened, with thousands of dollars available to community groups and residents for a range of projects taking place in the municipality.
Residents and community groups can now apply for grants including Community Capital Works Grants, Major Equipment Grants, Community Wellbeing Support Grants and Festival and Events Grants.
Cardinia Mayor Jeff Springfield encouraged residents to review the available grants and submit community projects which will improve liveability in Cardinia shire.
“Council is proud to offer a range of grant programs to assist the community to undertake projects that improve local facilities, services and events, and those which contribute to making our shire such an incredible community in which to live,” Cr Springfield said.
Applications close 5pm, Monday 2 March.
Community Capital Works Grants:
Under the council’s Community Capital Works Grants Program, matched funding of up to $35,000 is available to help community groups that manage community and recreation facilities to upgrade these facilities.
Projects that may be eligible for a grant include: building extensions and improvements
capital improvements at recreation reserves and sporting facilities, and built-in or fixed equipment installations.
Major Equipment Grants:
Major equipment grants of up to $20,000 are available to help recreation reserve committees of management purchase equipment to maintain playing surfaces, without the need to engage contractors.
Only recreation reserve committees of management are eligible to apply for the Major Equipment Grant.
Recreation reserve committees of management will need to provide details of the equipment they are seeking and demonstrate how it will be used to maintain playing surfaces and surrounds at the reserve.
Community Wellbeing Support Grants:
The Community Wellbeing and Support Grants Program helps to establish new organisations, projects and services.
There are three categories of funding, including seeding grants (up to $5000), volunteering grants (up to $3000) and small change grants (up to $1000).
This grant program funds initiatives that: improve residents’ health and wellbeing
support opportunities for volunteering, and build the capacity of community groups, projects and programs to be sustainable.
Festival and Events Grants:
Grants of up to $10,000 are available to support a comprehensive and diverse mix of festivals and events which align with one of the following categories: Christmas celebrations, Australia Day event, community festival/event, agricultural show, arts festival/event, and community focused sporting event.
For more information about the grant programs, including eligibility guidelines, visit the council’s website at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/grants or call on 1300 787 624.
