Apply for Community Infrastructure Grants 2024 (Australia)

Community infrastructure provides places and spaces for communities to connect and thrive. It includes, open spaces, recreation and sports facilities, arts and cultural facilities, community centres, early years facilities and meeting places.

Objectives

As a local government, they want to help eligible community organisations to renew, upgrade or build new and better facilities, and increase programs or improve the way community spaces function. By doing this, they hope to achieve the following objectives:

• deliver liveable and accessible places
• promote active and healthy lifestyles at every stage of life
• deliver services and programs more equitably
• support people to stay connected with others in their local community
• create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued for their unique contribution
• regardless of age, ability, gender, cultural background, geographic location, or income status.

Funding Information

• There is a total grant pool of $3,000,000 available.
• For Planning – Applicants may ask for up to $50,000 (up to two thirds of total project cost)
• For Capital Works – Applicants may ask for up to $400,000 (up to two thirds of total project cost)
• You can only submit one application for this grant per financial year. A successful planning application does not guarantee funding in subsequent years for delivery of capital works.

What can you apply for?

• Planning Grants
  • Community groups can apply for planning grants to fund strategic planning or design development for future infrastructure developments such as:
    • strategic infrastructure planning – facility development plans
    • infrastructure design – concept through to detailed design for future infrastructure projects
    • detailed designs (tender documentation) for projects under $400,000 – for example, netball courts, cricket practice facilities, sports lighting and so on.
• Capital Works Grants
  • Renewal projects
    • Projects to bring an asset back up to its original standard.
    • Change room renewal
    • Pavilion renewal
    • Cricket training facilities, including nets
    • Kitchen refurbishments including fixed equipment – for example, oven, cooktop, rangehood or commercial dishwasher (only as part of a capital works project)
    • Accessibility upgrades to comply with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requirements – for example, ramps and toilets
  • Upgrade projects
    • Projects to make the asset better than original standard.
    • Pavilion upgrades
    • Change room upgrades
    • Indoor and outdoor lights: new technology, increase lumens, compliance with sporting codes
    • Replacing turf pitches
    • Digital scoreboards
    • Environmental initiatives
  • New projects
    • Projects that involve building brand-new assets.
    • Community gardens (not for plants, soil, tools and so on)
    • Cricket nets
    • Behind/safety goal netting
    • Outdoor lights that improve participation and safety
    • Multipurpose training facilities

Who can apply?

• Not-for-profit, incorporated bodies or registered under company law who operate on public land managed or owned by Council, or Crown land where the management of the facility is community based and there is access for the broader community (herein referred to as public)
• Not-for-profit, incorporated bodies or registered under company law who operate in facilities not located on Council-owned or managed land; or managed or maintained by Council (herein referred to as private) which provide access for the broader community
• Unincorporated bodies with an auspice
• Schools and learning institutions – only for activities that are not curriculum based and the primary benefit is for the wider community

Ineligible

• The following items, activities or projects will not be funded by any of the City’s Community Grants.
  • Projects or activities outside of the City of Greater Geelong municipality.
  • The cost of council services where fees are charged – for example, council rates, waste removal, parking and so on.
  • Existing staff and salary costs, although funds to cover costs for extra staff or contractors needed to deliver the funded project will be considered if evidence is provided.
  • Requests to use the money for purchases, projects, or activities that began before being notified of the application outcome.
  • Fundraising events where the aim is to directly fundraise for a charity, including your own group.
  • Prizes, gifts, awards or sponsorship costs, such as trophies, medals, money and vouchers.
  • Political or gambling activities.
  • Expenses that can be considered core business, such as ongoing projects and activities, administration overheads (utilities, insurances and fees) or similar.
  • Additional funding for previously successful applications.
  • Projects, activities or events that could commit the City to ongoing funding.
  • Projects, activities or events that better meet the criteria of another City of Greater Geelong grant or program.
  • Applications that duplicate existing activities, programs or events, unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

For more information, visit City of Greater Geelong.