THE Surf Coast Shire\u2019s Community Vision \u201cto leave the Surf Coast better than we found it\u201d has underpinned the latest round of the council\u2019s Small Grants, with environmental projects aplenty.<\/p>\n
To be officially awarded in a ceremony at the council chambers today (Thursday, December 9), supported projects include an electric vehicle charging point in Moriac, a Climate Revolution Summit to be delivered during the World Surf League round at Bells Beach in April, community garden enhancements in Aireys Inlet, Lorne and Torquay, and Surf Coast Energy Group\u2019s web tool to help residents and businesses track and reduce their carbon footprint.<\/p>\n
Grants range from $805 to $5,000, and Cr Mike Bodsworth said it was an impressive list of recipients.<\/p>\n
This round has seen Small Grants awarded to 17 projects, totalling $37,535.<\/p>\n
Cr Bodsworth said he was delighted to see the strong sustainability focus, aligning with council\u2019s Environmental Leadership theme.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve heard loud and clear from locals that they want to help our community to thrive through environmental leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat certainly rang true when we looked at the Small Grants recipients, with eight of the recommended projects in the Environment category.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other recommended projects were spread across three categories: Culture and Arts, Recreation and Leisure, and Community Initiative.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to see the variety of projects and how the grants will empower community groups to support locals \u2013 from budding Little Athletics stars taking on the hurdles, to Anglesea Historical Society members who are visually impaired and will soon be able to access audio magazines and newsletters,\u201d Cr Bodsworth said.<\/p>\n
He thanked all community groups which applied for the latest round of Small Grants.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an incredibly competitive process. We had a record number of applicants and it\u2019s unfortunate we aren\u2019t able to financially support each one,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll groups which apply receive feedback and we hope they can use it to put together an even stronger application for the next round of the program which takes place in March, or to seek funding from other grant givers.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Surf Coast Shire\u2019s Community Vision \u201cto leave the Surf Coast better than we found it\u201d has underpinned the latest round of the council\u2019s Small Grants, with environmental projects aplenty. To be officially awarded in a ceremony at the council chambers today (Thursday, December 9), supported projects include an electric vehicle charging point in Moriac, […]<\/p>\n