$6.1 million infrastructure boost for local communities

NSW Gov

Thirty-five community groups will share $6.1 million in funding under the latest round of the NSW Government’s Club grants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants Program.

The funding will ensure grassroots organisations across NSW receive a much-needed boost to cover the costs of construction, alteration, renovation, completion and fit-out of buildings and infrastructure to deliver outcomes for NSW communities.

The Club grants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants Program is operated under the Gaming Machine Tax Act 2001 and administered by the Office of Responsible Gambling. The fund reinvests a portion of gaming machine profits over $1 million from registered clubs back into community infrastructure projects.

Infrastructure Grants are open to not-for-profit community organisations and local councils and delivered across 4 categories: arts and culture, community infrastructure, sport and recreation and disaster readiness.

Successful projects in this round include:

  • $300,000 to Wollongong City Council for an inclusive skatepark in Wollongong City Centre
  • $230,000 for a mobile health clinic for Aboriginal women in Collarenebri
  • $199,927 for the Friends of Tenterfield Aerodrome Association to provide fuel, power and hardened surface areas at Tenterfield aerodrome. Purchase of a medical transport plane to service regional NSW
  • $130,000 for the FLING Physical Theatre in the Bega Valley for an accessibility upgrade
  • Since 2013, the program has provided more than $130 million to support 750 local council and not-for-profit community projects.

Two grant rounds are offered each year under Category 3, with 2023 to 2024 funding for this category committed prior to the decision to review the broader Club grants program.

Applications for the next round are now open and close 18 December 2023.

Get more information on Responsible Gambling Grants.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“The Infrastructure Grants program is all about supporting projects that improve community connectedness in the arts and sport, provide new or improved facilities for local sporting groups or deliver innovative local solutions in emergency preparedness.

“I am thrilled to see such a diverse mix of recipients in this round of the Infrastructure Grants Program, including a focus on Aboriginal community support and a great variety of rural and regional projects.

“While we review the wider program, the NSW Government is proud to deliver this support to enable critical projects that will boost local economies and foster community spirit across the state.

Wollongong City Council General Manager Greg Doyle said:

“There is currently an unmet demand for skating opportunities throughout the City that this grant will help alleviate.

“A core objective will be to also create a female-friendly environment that provides a supportive atmosphere for girls and young women to participate in the sport.”

Friends of Tenterfield Aerodrome Association President Rob Evans said:

“The recent fires that swept through the Tenterfield region confirmed the need for upgrades to local disaster-readiness facilities.

“This project will result in a significantly increased ability to save lives, property, livestock, infrastructure, and native plants and animals threatened by bushfires in the Tenterfield region.”

/Public Release. View in full here.