The Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5 projects announced

The NSW Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5 projects have been announced with several in in the Eurobodalla and Bega shires. These projects are NOT associated with any handout favour by politicians but are instead assessed independently based on merit and benefit to the community. The Stronger Country Communities Fund Round 5 aims to boost the wellbeing of communities in regional areas by providing new or upgraded social and sporting infrastructure, or community programs that have strong local support. A total of $160 million was available, including up to $50 million for projects delivered by eligible community organisations.

Project applications must be for infrastructure or community programs that boost the wellbeing of regional areas through improved amenity and positive social outcomes. Funding under the Stronger Country Communities Fund is available for local community and sporting infrastructure, street beautification, projects enhancing accessibility and inclusion for people with disability, projects improving outcomes for Aboriginal people, and community programs and local events.

This program is administered by Department of Regional NSW. To ensure the integrity of the grants applicants must be an incorporated entity and hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN), be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or incorporated under an Australian federal, state or territory Act of Parliament.

Eligible Council Applicants also included : NSW Regional Councils, Regional Joint Organisations of Councils, Section 355 Committees of Council along with community organisations registered as incorporated associations, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Lord Howe Island Board, Unincorporated Far West groups. Following the recent revelations of Ministerial interventions to grants that bordered on pork barrelling it was refreshing to see a new field added to the release of the the winning projects : Ministerial discretion. Was the project awarded in variance to the recommendation? (yes/no) Congratulations to all of those who worked tirelessly to present their project for consideration.