Mayoral Column 19 March 2018
Published on 19 March 2018
Community grants now open
Applications for Council’s Community Grants Scheme are now open. Up to $10,000 is available for not-for-profit clubs and organisations based in the Loddon Shire to deliver projects that directly benefit residents.
The Community Grants Scheme aims to help not-for-profit organisations enhance the provision of activities, facilities or delivery of services to people in our community.
Successful grant applications are funded on a two-to-one basis. This means for every $2 provided by Council, the successful applicants must contribute a minimum of $1 towards the cost of the project.
Since the Community Grants Scheme started in 2000/01, Council has provided around $2.2 million to support over 730 community-based projects, worth almost $5.5 million.
Last year the scheme allocated around $197,000 in funding across the Shire, with 36 groups receiving full or partial funding of the grant applied for.
This included $10,000 towards an electronic scoreboard for the Newbridge Football Netball Club, $10,000 for a playground reinvigoration at Inglewood Kindergarten and $10,000 for a mower at the Boort Golf Club.
A range of other groups also received funding, such as the Pyramid Hill and District Historical Society, Inglewood Riding Club, Serpentine Exercise Group, Boort Yando Cricket Club, Wedderburn Historical Engine and Machinery Society, and many more.
Applications for Council’s Community Grants Scheme close at 5pm, Tuesday 1 May.
To find out more and for an application form, visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Live/Community-support/Council-grants or call Council’s Community Support Team on 5494 1253.
Community Satisfaction Survey to get underway
Over the next few weeks you may receive a survey in the mail or be contacted by a company called Key Research Group asking you to rate Loddon Shire Council’s performance.
If you are selected to provide your input, please take the time to do so, as it will form part of Council’s 2018 Community Satisfaction Survey. Council is aiming to receive 400 responses.
The survey is a great opportunity to give feedback regarding Council services and other issues that matter to you. This feedback is also valuable when helping Council improve future service delivery.
The survey only takes a few minutes to complete either online or by filling out the paper survey.
The survey period will run from the middle of March until April 2018.
Competition to support innovation
Rural Councils Victoria has launched its Community Innovators Competition, aimed at highlighting the special and creative work that rural Victorians are already doing in their communities.
The competition had four categories – road safety, library and literacy services, fire safety and saving energy.
The winner in each category will win $1000 to be spent on expanding the project or program for which they were successful.
People wishing to nominate themselves or someone they think is worthy can download the entry form at ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au/competitions. Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 4 May 2018.
Biodiversity on-ground action grants open
The Victorian Government has announced the opening of applications for Community and Volunteer Action grants for Biodiversity On-Ground Action.
Community groups and not-for-profit organisations primarily focused on environmental projects, such as biodiversity conservation or habitat protection and restoration projects are encouraged to apply.
Example groups include Landcare groups and networks, Conservation Management Networks, schools and educational groups, youth and senior citizens clubs, local recreational and service groups, not-for-profit conservation groups, and more.
The grants are offering funding for projects between $5,000 and $50,000 (including single or multi-year projects) and which have a broad biodiversity focus.
Grant applications will be accepted until midnight Tuesday 3 April 2018.
For more information, including a link to the application form and a full list of example groups visit www.environment.vic.gov.au/grants/community-action.
2018 Keep Victoria Beautiful Tidy Towns Awards extended
Just a quick update to last week’s Mayoral Column item regarding the 2018 Keep Victoria Beautiful Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Awards. The deadline for entries to the awards has now been extended to Friday 23 March 2018.
Among the award categories are environmental sustainability, protection of the environment, litter prevention, active schools, resource recovery and waste management, young leaders and community actions, and leadership.
To find out more (including a full list of award categories) and to enter online, visit www.kvb.org.au/tidy-towns.