A total of 11 very diverse grassroots community groups from across the Coffs Harbour City Council area are celebrating winning a share of $258,372 in the latest round of Council's Building Together: Community Capital Infrastructure Grants (CCIG) Program to create or develop new capital facilities to enhance the economic, social, and environmental well-being of the local community.
They include Coffs Regional Community Gardens Inc. which was successful in gaining a $3,000 grant for accessible pathways and England's Park Tennis Club Inc. which sought $24,000 towards the cost of replacing and upgrading fencing around two of its courts.
Also a winner was Gumnut Cottage Inc. preschool which will receive $51,957 for the renovation and redesign of the outdoor children spaces.
Eastern Dorrigo Community Hall and Showgrounds Management Committee has been earmarked $5,550 from the grants program for the removal of an existing timber shelter and installation of a new outdoor shelter.
"This grant program is a great indicator of what a vibrant, engaged community we are and what a great quality of life we have," said Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight. "I'm always amazed by how much is going on at a grassroots level to improve our lives even further. The members of these groups who put so much work and commitment into achieving better facilities deserve an enormous round of applause. They're all amazing."
The objectives of the Building Together: Community Infrastructure Grants are for Council to:
- Assist in the provision of innovative community projects that target community needs and result in direct benefits to the wider community;
- Assist in increasing the participation, accessibility and range of community organisations for the residents of the Coffs Harbour City Council area;
- Provide a consistent, equitable and transparent process to respond to requests by community organisations for funding of capital infrastructure; and
- Encourage partnerships and joint ventures to maximise outcomes.
See the full list of successful projects below:
| Organisation | Proposed Project | Total Cost of Project | Requested Council Funding | Funding Recommended | |||
| 1. Gumnut Cottage Inc. | 'We grow, learn and play in our garden everyday' Renovation and redesign of the outdoor children spaces. |
$103,915 | $51,957 | $51,957 | |||
| 2. Coffs Harbour Yacht Club Inc. | Construction of an access ramp on the northern side of the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club to the first floor. | $175,640 | $87,820 | $5,000 | |||
| 3. Eastern Dorrigo Community Hall & Showgrounds Management Committee | Removal of existing timber shelter and installation of a new outdoor shelter. | $11,100 | $5,550 | $5,550 | |||
| 4. England's Park Tennis Club Inc. | Replacement of fencing around courts 5 & 6 with high quality fencing. | $49,215 | $24,000 | $24,000 | |||
| 5. Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour Community Services Fund Inc. | Surf lifesaving rubber rescue tubes @12 locations. | $30,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 | |||
| 6. South Coffs Community Gardens Inc. | 20' Container with metal roof to store electric ride-on and to harvest rainwater. | $7,088 | $3,500 | $3,500 | |||
| 7. Sawtell Golf Club Inc. | Construction of an access ramp and installation of automatic doors to the Clubhouse's main entrance. | $24,000 | $12,000 | $12,000 | |||
| 8. Sawtell Toormina Sports & Recreation Club Inc. | Construction of a protective skillion roof over existing 3 containers and courtyard at Rex Hardaker Oval by the Coffs Harbour Dog Training Club. | $14,032 | $7,000 | $7,000 | |||
| 9. Coffs Regional Community Gardens Inc. | 'Fun & Bugs in the Garden' Construction of concrete footpath. The pad for toilet is not recommended for funding. |
$7,180 | $3,590 | $3,000 | |||
| 10. Westside Tennis Club Inc. | Refurbishment of kitchen and toilets. | $50,324 | $25,000 | $25,000 | |||
| 11. Gamumbi Early Childhood Education Centre Inc. | 'You'll be Floored' Project Replacement of flooring in the service areas and staff rooms. |
$45,910 | $22,955 | $22,955 | |||
| Project Management | $3,688 | ||||||
| Provision for approvals under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, Native Title Act 1993 and National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 | $12,000 | ||||||
| Total: | $518,404 | $258,372 | $190,650 | ||||
