Shire approves its latest small grants

THE Surf Coast Shire is handing out nearly $40,000 in funding to local community groups in the latest round of its Small Grants Program.

Councillors resolved to allocate the funding to the 18 projects that successfully met the grant criteria at their meeting on Tuesday.

Some of the larger grants include:

• $5,000 to Surf Coast Energy Group to buy 45 junior boat kits for its Solar Cup Challenge
• $4,000 to the Conneware and District Riding Club for an equitation park – a skills course for horses and riders
• $3,000 to Torquay Museum Without Walls to create an Android version of the app “History in Your Pocket”
• $2,800 to Hockey Victoria as a contribution towards a Torquay Community Hockey Club pilot in the shire, and
• $2,612.40 to Barwon Valley Pony Club to upgrade to newer and safer show jumping poles.

Councillors also resolved that the projects proposed by Wensleydale Rural Community Group, Surf Coast Toy Library, Deans Marsh Cricket Club, Connewarre and District Riding Club and Danawa Community Garden projects included capital elements, so shire officers would provide project management support as required.

From this round, four applicants – Lorne Lions Club, Torquay Laurel Club, Winchelsea Neighbourhood Watch and Surf Coast Animal Rescue – had their projects assessed as ineligible and two applicants – OTIS Foundation and Growing Winchelsea – were not recommended.

According to the officers’ report, the small grant amount available to applicants has typically been up to $1,000 for many years but project delivery costs have steadily increased in this time. Councillors accepted a recommendation to amend the guidelines for future rounds to a grant amount up to $2,000 for projects that meet the selection criteria. Amounts up $5,000 are available for projects that meet additional community needs.