Community groups and organisations who have been wanting to improve their assets or facilities are encouraged to look at East Gippsland Shire Council’s new grant program targeted at infrastructure projects.

The Community Infrastructure Grants Program offers grants from $15,000 up to $50,000 to upgrade a facility on Council-owned land, Crown land or land under an acceptable deed or trust for non-profit incorporated bodies.

Any funded activity needs to start after April 1 2022 and must be completed by June 1, 2023.

Applications need a contribution ratio of 1:5. This means if a group applies for $50,000, they need to contribute $10,000. Contributions can be cash, other confirmed grants, donations or in-kind.

Mayor Cr Mark Reeves said the one-off grant program was an opportunity for community groups and clubs to get bigger projects off the ground.

The grants have been made possible via funding from the Australian Government.

“These grants are fantastic for groups and clubs who have a larger project they want to complete, but just don’t have the funds. It would take a lot of fundraising - sometimes years, to raise the amount of money available with these grants.

“Here is a great opportunity to fast track the big-ticket ideas raised at committee meetings; I encourage everyone to look into applying,” Cr Reeves said.

For more information on the grants program, including the guidelines, visit Council’s website, eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/grants or contact council

Applicants are invited to discuss their project with a project officer before submitting their application.

Applications are completed through our Grants page and close on Wednesday, January 26 at 5pm.

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