Noosa Council has announced $99,000 in community grants to support 13 projects, events, equipment, infrastructure, and programs, in a boost for the local community.
Cooran Organic Group members Curt Tebbutt, Paula Reynolds, Lance Pearce and Uli Odling.
Recipients include a wide range of projects, such as Cooran Organic Garden’s project establish a new community garden, and workplace health, safety and tool training for Noosa Women’s Shed.
The latest round of grant funding also supports Noosa Touch Association’s plan to upgrade its electrical switchboard, plus there’s funding for Noosa Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club to purchase equipment to maintain the Wooroi Trail, alongside another nine project recipients.
Mayor Clare Stewart said the number of outstanding applications was overwhelming, making the task of selecting this round’s grant recipients a difficult one.
“The quality and volume of applications in every round is beyond impressive. On behalf of our community, we truly appreciate the effort that is put into these applications by so many different not-for-profit groups. The work they do brings such enormous benefit to our community,” Mayor Stewart said.
One of the well-deserving recipients is the Cooran Organic Garden (COG). President Lance Pearce says the community garden project will deliver an inspiring and sustainable space for locals.
“Gardening is an activity that is without age-limit, gender bias and discrimination. Our aim is to promote community wellbeing, healthy living, and a sense of connection and belonging, along with ready access to a wide variety of fresh produce and other useful plants for the locals,” Mr Pearce said.
Mayor Stewart praised all of the community groups, not-for-profits and other volunteer-run organisations for being an integral part of the Noosa community.
“In this grant round there’s $48,000 for various projects, $3,600 for community events, $27,595 for new equipment requests, and $20,264 for infrastructure development,” Mayor Stewart said.
The next round of Community Grants will open for applications from February 8, 2024.
