Applications to coronavirus recovery grants open

THE Surf Coast Shire council has opened its COVID-19 Recovery Assistance Grants Program for community and business initiatives both large and small.

The grants are designed to support people and businesses to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

Endorsed by the council at its June meeting, the program has two streams: a Major category and a Rapid Response category for smaller initiatives.

The Rapid Response grants will be up to $5,000 from a total pool of $50,000.

The Major grants have no upper limit, but applicants will need to demonstrate higher impacts and greater outcomes.

Applications to both grant categories re now open and successful applicants will adhere to the council’s COVID-19 Recovery Assistance Guidelines, which were adopted at the May meeting.

Applicants will need to work with officers in the lead up to submitting their application.

The grants are part of the council’s broader COVID-19 support and recovery package.

The council has also allocated $100,000 to five trader groups for locally-designed marketing and business support initiatives:

• Torquay Commerce and Tourism: $23,000
• Business and Tourism Anglesea: $19,000
• Lorne Business and Tourism Association: $29,000
• Growing Winchelsea: $17,000
• Aireys Inlet Tourism and Traders: $12,000.

A further $75,000 will be allocated to Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism for a year-long tactical marketing campaign to promote Surf Coast Shire and its townships as part of a broader Great Ocean Road region campaign.

Shire mayor Rose Hodge said the grants program would provide much-needed assistance to a range of community projects.

“We’ve been hearing first-hand from the community about their most pressing needs during the recovery phase. This grants program means we can help get a range of community and business initiatives up and running, which are all aimed at supporting our region’s recovery.

“The Rapid Response grants are designed to provide quick and flexible support to smaller projects, whereas the Major category will help fund larger scale projects.”

She said local businesses have had a really tough time, so the “Buy Surf Coast” message was more important than ever.

“Council’s contribution to local trader groups and Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism will help us spread this message far and wide.”

The deadline for receiving the first round of major grant applications is July 20.

To find out more or apply for grants, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/COVID19.