Shire awards more COVID support grants

THE Surf Coast Shire has approved just under $17,000 of grants in its latest tranche of funding in its COVID-19 Recovery Assistance Program.

As of September 30, the shire has allocated $936,780 of the $1 million earmarked to support COVID recovery initiatives across the municipality, with a balance of $63,220 remaining across the various streams.

Councillors received an update on the program at their October 28 meeting, and a majority resolved to approve the two allocations.

The first is $12,060 to Rebecca Hosking, who will use the funds – through the Creative Communities stream – to create an illuminated large night-time projection installation.

To honour the ancient culture of Australia’s First Nations people, Bunjil Dreaming will explore our land and the constellations beyond via the eyes and form of Bunjil, created with moving paint landscapes.

Captured on film using macro lenses, the physical movement of paint will merge land and water landscapes and blend the magic of interstellar constellations forming and coloured paint rivers meeting the ocean.

The soundtrack comprises music performed by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Norm Stanley.

Since the August 24 report on the program, officers approved a $4,850 grant to Mosulu Estate Winery under the Small Business Support Program to redesign and improve their retail website.

The shire is also assessing applications for two grants of $5,000 each to run “Adopt a Worker” programs in Anglesea and Lorne.

If successful, the marketing campaign by Lorne Business and Tourism and Business and Tourism Anglesea will encourage to offer a bed, spare room or other accommodation to a worker so that local businesses will be fully staffed over the summer months.

Cr Paul Barker moved the motion but voted against it. He unsuccessfully attempted, with Cr Heather Wellington’s support, to not approve the $12,000 allocation to Rebecca Hosking.

Cr Barker said funded applicants in the COVID-19 Recovery Assistance Program received an average of $15,000, with most receiving several thousand dollars.

“I supported some of these grants in the early stages, but as time went by I saw the payments weren’t necessarily the best use of ratepayers’ money.

“The value is staggering to me in hindsight, and has really resulted in us picking winners and losers throughout the COVID recovery period.

“I think this initiative would have been much better, in hindsight, had it been funded voluntarily through philanthropic means – in this case, it hasn’t – rather through rates that are forcibly taken.”

Cr Wellington also unsuccessfully moved to not accept any more applications for funding and to return the excess to general revenue.

“The immediate need for this has passed, and I think we should hold it,” she said.

Cr Liz Pattison did not support the alternate motion, saying the COVID-19 pandemic was “far from over”.

“To me, it’s ridiculous to even question how effective (the grants) are, because our community and our volunteers and our organisations are so dedicated.”

Councillors will receive a program evaluation report at their March 2022 meeting.