Bland Shire Council Mayor Brian Monaghan said the new program ensures community organisations have greater certainty while streamlining grant application processes. Photo: Bland Shire Council.
Bland Shire Council is calling for feedback on the newly endorsed draft Bland Shire Community Funding Program from community groups who have received financial support in the past.
The draft program will be on public exhibition until 18 September, but council will accept written feedback until 5 pm on 2 October.
Mayor Brian Monaghan said the new program would provide local groups with greater certainty, while streamlining the application process.
“Over the past seven years, council has provided almost $380,000 in financial support to nearly 60 community organisations,” he said.
“This new program ensures we can continue that support in a fair, transparent and sustainable way while giving groups more certainty when planning their events and initiatives.”
The Community Funding Program brings together three key funding streams, each designed to support different types of local initiatives:
- Strengthening Community Fund – $30,000 pool available in 2025–26, with up to $5000 available per application for community driven initiatives and projects
- Community Activity Grant – $20,000 pool available, with up to $10,000 available per application to support events that create social connections and improve wellbeing. This program will be for activities to be delivered in the 2026-27 financial year
- Community Support Donations – annual allocations to be determined as part of council’s budget, designed to assist groups that require ongoing financial support over the term of council.
Once finalised, the Community Funding Program will sit alongside the Wyalong Solar Farm Community Benefit Fund, which will make $30,000 available each year for the next nine years to support projects across the Shire.
The draft Community Funding Program will be on public exhibition from 21 August to 18 September and can be reviewed on the Bland Shire Council website. Hard copies of the documents are available at the Council Administration Office.
Written submissions can be sent via email to [email protected] or mailed to Bland Shire Council at 6 Shire Street, West Wyalong.
For more information or to provide feedback, visit council’s website or phone (02) 6872 2266.
