Colac Otway Shire Council’s 2020 – 2021 Grants Program now open

Published on 10 March 2020

Colac Otway Shire Council’s 2020 – 2021 Grants Program now open

Colac Otway community groups, event organisers and businesses will have a chance to secure funding for their projects through Colac Otway Shire Council’s 2020-2021 Grants Program.

Applications for Council’s annual grants program opened Friday 6 March with opportunities for applicants to apply for funding from four categories; Community Grants Program, Community Events and Support Program, Small Grants Program and Building Façade Improvement Program.

The Colac Otway Shire Grants Program gives clubs, event organisers, community groups, schools, other organisations and businesses with the chance to share in a total pool of more than $311,000.

Mayor Jason Schram said the Grants Program was a great opportunity for local groups and businesses to secure funding for worthwhile local projects and events.

“Local clubs, organisations and events across the shire do wonderful things to benefit our community, the grants program provides an opportunity to help fund a project or event that will have a positive flow-on effect to the wider community,” Cr Schram said.

“Grants awarded help improve economic and community development across a diverse range of local projects, which is great to see.

“This year we reviewed the guidelines of the program based on feedback from applicants and officers’ experiences from implementing the current grants program over the past two years.

“We’ve increased the maximum grant for the Building Façade Improvement Program from $2,000 to $3,000 which we hope will encourage more applicants from across the whole shire to apply to improve their building facades.

“Improving shopfronts throughout the shire has a positive effect on the local economy with the benefit of creating attractive shopping strips which are welcoming to both the community and visitors.

“Among the shopfronts to receive a facelift from grants in previous years was Lillypilly Gifts, Just Lovely, Blue Sky Outdoor Experts, Colac Motorcycles and the Austral Hotel.”

Cr Schram said there had also been a significant increase in the Community Events and Support category for major ‘community organised’ events to allow applications up to $10,000 (previously $5,000). This category is for events of regional, state or national significance that meet certain criteria.

“By increasing funding in this category, we’re aiming to support major local events that create a significant economic return across Colac Otway Shire and boost visitors and expenditure in the region.”

Applications for the 2020-2021 Colac Otway Shire Grants Program close on Friday 17 April. Guidelines and details of how to apply online are available at https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Community-services/Apply-for-a-grant/Colac-Otway-Shire-Grants-Program-2020-2021

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend information sessions at Apollo Bay or Colac.

Apollo Bay information session: Tuesday 17 March, 5.30pm – 6.30pm at Marrar Woorn Meeting Room – 6 Pengilley Avenue, Apollo Bay.

Colac information session: Thursday 19 March, 5.30pm – 6.30pm at COPACC Meeting Room – Gellibrand Street, Colac.

The total budget of the Colac Otway Shire Grants Program 2020 – 2021 is subject to approval through the 2020-2021 budget process. Please contact Council’s Grants Officer on [email protected] or on 5232 9400 for further information.