Community benefits in new grants policy

An image of The Sing to Beat Aphasia choir program which received $8000 through the Community Project grants last year. The choir helps people with an acquired speech disorder to become part of the community through the power of singing.
The Sing to Beat Aphasia program received $8000 through the Community Project grants last year. The choir helps people with an acquired speech disorder to become part of the community through the power of singing.

City of Logan community groups will benefit from changes to Council’s Community Benefit Fund (CBF).

The new policy aims to improve the transparency and governance of Council’s community grants.

Under the new policy, and in accordance with recent State legislation, the amounts available for allocation by the new mayor and councillors from April 1 to June 30 this year will be $3100 each.

The balance of funds allocated to the CBF in this financial year’s budget will now be pooled to support existing Council grant programs.

This will ensure the community still obtains benefits from the full amount of funding set aside.

Initiatives that could be funded include:

  • Community-led projects responding to local priorities
  • Small and large events that celebrate our city
  • Projects that enhance and protect the natural environment
  • One-off projects for the development of arts, culture and heritage
  • Sports and recreation travel assistance grants

Logan City Council Interim Administrator Tamara O’Shea said Council was committed to an equitable, open and transparent process for community organisations to request assistance.

“While changes were needed to align the new Community Benefit Fund policy with the new Local Government Act, we wanted to ensure that the overall benefits to the community were not lost,” Ms O’Shea said.

“We now have procedures in place that will celebrate inclusion and diversity while supporting and fostering participation in community activities and initiatives across the City of Logan.”

Changes were also made to Council’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy.

The new policy sets a $100 value cap for when gifts must be disclosed and a $160 cap for hospitality.

“This is a very important policy that needs to reflect the expectations of the community,” Ms O’Shea said.

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