Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (centre) pictured with members of the Gunnedah Rural Museum, which received a $2,500 grant to purchase new office equipment under the last round of the Stronger Communities Programme.
Community groups in the Parkes electorate are being invited to apply for a share of $150,000 in funding for small-scale upgrades and new equipment under the latest round of the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).
Expressions of interest are now open for Round 7 of the popular program, giving local governing bodies and community groups an opportunity to nominate projects for grants of up to $20,000.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said more funding for the Parkes electorate would deliver the infrastructure and equipment our communities need to grow and prosper into the future.
“Community groups are the heart of our local towns and villages in the Parkes electorate and this type of investment helps to bring people together by building community participation and delivering a brighter and more vibrant future for these communities,” Mr Coulton said.
“This latest funding injection will finance up to 20 projects across the electorate, supporting jobs and delivering an economic boost to drive our recovery on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Stronger Communities Programme has already supported dozens of community groups in the Parkes electorate. We saw some terrific projects go ahead in the latest round, including a room renovation for Broken Hill Community Incorporated, an office upgrade for the Gunnedah Rural Museum, a new mower for Baradine Golf Club, the installation of solar at Coonabarabran Tennis Club, and a cubby house and garden makeover for Buninyong Public School, to name a few.”
Grants from $2,500 up to $20,000 are available to cover up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs, or up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs for local governing bodies.
“I strongly encourage interested organisations to contact my office regarding projects important to them and our community,” Mr Coulton said.
Mr Coulton will play a key role in identifying the projects to be supported in his electorate, with the assistance of a committee that represents the local community.
Organisations shortlisted by the committee will then be invited to complete a formal online application, which must be submitted by 19 January 2021.
Eligible organisations in the Parkes electorate can download an EOI form for submission to Mr Coulton’s office by 5pm Friday 3 December 2021.
Through the Stronger Communities Program, the Government has provided more than $135 million for projects for community-building and job-creating projects across Australia.
Guidelines and additional information is available at business.gov.au/scp
Important information:
To put forward an application for consideration under the SCP, eligible organisations must:
- Complete an EOI form, which is available here: EOI form
- Submit the form to the Office of Mark Coulton MP via email to mark.coulton.mp@aph.gov.au by Friday 3 December 2021. This form can also be submitted via mail to Suite 3, 153 Brisbane Street, Dubbo NSW 2830
