Renewal and improvements highlight Community Grants for 2025
Council has supported nine projects in this year’s Annual Community Grants Program with local community groups benefiting from both minor and major grant funding streams.
Three minor grants and six major grants were selected sharing in a combined funding pool of $99,828.
Projects supported by Council in the minor grant funding stream with project budgets below $2,000 included the Avon District Hall, Blyth Tennis Club and Blyth Management Committee.
The largest project funded in the major grant category was $25,000 towards the Balaklava High School Governing Council’s project to redevelop the old Balaklava Croquet Clubrooms into a multi-purpose community hub.
Other projects successful in the major grants category included Hamley Bridge Football Club’s permanent oval nets which will benefit from $22,703 to create a safer ground.
The Blyth Water Retention Scheme received $15,000 to create water security by drilling a water bore and installing a solar pump ensuring green spaces are maintained for clubs using the oval throughout summer months.
Mayor Rodney Reid said each year Council looked for the best projects that align with Council’s Wakefield 2030 vision of liveable communities, thriving region and sustainable future.
“This year’s grants had a great mix of ideas and projects to help activate local community groups with plenty that represented all three of Council’s key themes,” Mayor Reid said.
“We had a total of 18 submissions, it’s always difficult for the Grants Committee to narrow down the best applications with so many great projects to support.
“When you add Community group’s contributions to the funded projects it brings the total value of the community benefits to over $195k which is a great injection to our region.
“I look forward to seeing all of the projects funded activating our community spaces and benefitting our community groups,” Mayor Rodney Reid said.