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Need new or updated equipment or improvements to a garden or building?
Round two applications for Cowra Councils' Community Grants Program are now available to download as council calls upon Cowra Shire community groups or individuals in need of grant funding to apply now.
Opening today and in its tenth round, the Cowra Council Community Grants Program 2019-2020 allows eligible individuals and community groups to apply and lodge their application until Friday, February 28.
"The Community Grants Program has to be one of Councils' favorite programs," Cowra Mayor, Councillor Bill West said.
"This program is for local community groups where we see local council funding go towards local community projects, solely benefiting our shire."
Councils' grants program has supported a number of local sports, community and cultural groups in the past with help in purchasing new business identification signage, providing new sports equipment and electrical upgrades.
The guidelines and criteria remain the same, with council looking for community groups who are not-for-profit, primarily volunteer-run and based within the Cowra Shire with projects that directly benefit the local community.
Community groups have the opportunity to apply for funding through five categories: arts and culture, building and facility development, small capital equipment, sport and recreation and natural resource management.
"We welcome community groups to apply for funding in any of the five categories, in particular the natural resource management category," Cr West said.
"This category rarely receives applications, and it would be wonderful to see the funding be put to good use."
Examples of how community groups could apply for funding in the natural resource category include: funding towards printing brochures for native bird identification, community tree plantings, community gardens, or environmental workshops.
Successful applicants in the most recent round of September 2019 were for a variety of local projects, with $27,295 distributed amongst 22 local groups ranging from $869 - $2,000.
They included $975 to the Cowra Jockey Club to purchase a cash register for bar operations, $981 to the Billimari Public Hall and Recreation Ground to assist in purchasing two microwave ovens and a six-burner barbecue, $1000 to the Cowra Musical and Dramatic Society Inc. to assist in staging a professionally led vocal and choral workshop, $1000 to the Cowra and District Junior Soccer Club to purchase training equipment, and $2,000 to the Woodstock Memorial Land Manager Group to assist in funding a wastewater assessment and site classification for a proposed amenities block at Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Park.
"The successful applications from round one were so varied and Council have enjoyed seeing many of these projects already completed or near completion with the funding. We are looking forward to seeing what ideas Cowra community groups come up with for this round," Cr West said.
Applicants that were successful in the most recent round of council's grants program are able to apply again under this round, provided they have submitted their acquittal report.
Applicants are eligible to receive up to a total value of $3000 in grant funds per financial year.
Application forms and guidelines are available at Council's website: www.cowracouncil.com.au and at Councils' front desk at 116 Kendal St, Cowra.
For more information, contact Cowra Council's Grants and Executive Projects Officer, Lawrance Ryan on 6340 2035 or email: lryan@cowra.nsw.gov.au.
