Groups tee up infrastructure works with city’s grants

CLUBS, groups and organisations across the region will share in more than $3 million through the City of Greater Geelong’s 2020-21 Community Infrastructure Grants program.

The grants, ranging in value from $2200 to $350,000, will support 49 community-led projects across the municipality.

A wide range of activities have been supported, with groups in the arts, community service, culture, faith, sport and recreation fields all receiving funding.

The Barwon Valley Golf Club was one of four groups to receive the maximum grant amount of $350,000 for major capital works, and will use the funding on clubroom upgrades and refurbishment at the 18-hole course in Belmont.

Kardinia Ward councillors Belinda Moloney, Bruce Harwood and Ron Nelson visited the course last week to hear about the club’s plans from secretary Helen Mayes.

The city also awarded $350,000 grants to the Geelong Rangers Soccer Club for a lighting upgrade and expansion at Myers Reserve, Bell Post Hill; Norlane Bowling Club for the installation of a synthetic bowling green; and St Joseph’s Cricket Club for a Carey Oval pavilion upgrade, including unisex toilets and change rooms.

The successful applications, worth $3,000,567, were endorsed by the council at a meeting earlier this month.

Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher congratulated the grants recipients.

“Our local groups are the backbone of our rich community life and provide the activities and social connections that are vital to the health and wellbeing of our residents,” Cr Asher said.

“The grants program helps make both large and small expansion and improvement projects a reality and supports the ongoing viability of a diverse range of community groups.”

Finance portfolio chair Cr Anthony Aitken said the council’s total grants budget in 2020-21 was at a new high of $5.1 million.
“With some community groups also providing their own funds as well, we know these projects are a priority and will be quickly delivered to help stimulate investment at a local grassroots level and help the slow journey to recovery from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Other recipients of significant grants included:

• Geelong High School – $33,300 for Shenton Theatre accessible toilets, change rooms, light and sound upgrade
• Woodlands Pre School, Ocean Grove – $30,430 for stage one of a rear play space redevelopment, and
• St Luke’s Uniting Church, Highton – $20,000 for planning for the future of the complex.

The recipients of the Central Geelong Heritage Grants are expected to be confirmed in late March.