Rural communities benefit from $760,000 in funding
Published Thursday, 26 April, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Warren Pitt
The Queensland Government has taken another major step forward today in the campaign to strengthen rural communities after announcing a funding allocation of more than $760,000.
Communities Minister Warren Pitt said the Our Place, Our Future initiative was part of the $30 million announced under the Strengthening Rural Communities Program, a key component of the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush strategy.
“The Strengthening Rural Communities Program aims to encourage communities to work together to increase their capacity and capability to build more socially, culturally and economically sustainable communities,” Mr Pitt said.
“This funding will help communities in rural and remote areas of the state to plan and implement practical activities to enhance community sustainability and prosperity.”
Mr Pitt said the Our Place, Our Future initiative would provide a total of $7.4 million over three years to regions specified under the Blueprint for the Bush strategy.
“The funding announced today means 23 regional organisations will share $768,739 in Queensland Government funding to help build stronger rural communities (see attached lists).
“Thirteen grants totaling $255,532 have been provided for communities to undertake planning and engagement activities, while another 10 grants totaling $513,207 will enable communities to implement projects that have previously been identified.”
AgForce president Peter Kenny said this latest Blueprint for the Bush funding helped ensure the bush had a sustainable and profitable future.
“As one of the major partners in the Blueprint for the Bush, AgForce encourages those living in rural and regional Queensland to examine the Our Place Our Future funding initiative and apply,” he said.
“One of the major goals of the Blueprint is for communities to be viable and strong and it’s important communities have access to funding initiatives such as these.”
Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) president Cr Paul Bell added: “LGAQ is delighted to support its members’ needs in partnering in the development of this initiative.
“This investment will deliver practical measures to help address rural community development issues, assist effective community engagement and help implement existing community plans.”
Funding rounds for the Our Place, Our Future initiative take place about every three months with applications for the next round due to close on 30 April.
Media contact: Peter Nibbs 3235 4280
Our Place, Our Future funding recipients – April 2007
Funding for planning and engagement activities
|
Organisation |
Location |
Project |
Amount |
|
Roma Town Council |
Roma |
Roma Celebrating Life Community Engagement Project |
$ 18,880 |
|
Chinchilla Shire Council (as lead agency for Western Downs Regional Organisation of Councils) |
Chinchilla |
Regional Economic and Tourism Development Plan |
$ 20,000 |
|
Warroo Shire Council |
Surat |
Warroo Shire Council Community Economic Development Strategy |
$20,000 |
|
Stanthorpe Shire Council |
Stanthorpe |
Partnering for a Positive Future: Stanthorpe Community Plan |
$ 20,000 |
|
Rockhampton Regional Development Limited |
Mt Morgan |
MountMorgan – Our Town Project |
$ 20,000 |
|
Augathella Cultural Association |
Augathella |
Augathella Community Planning Project |
$ 19,000 |
|
Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust |
Miriam Vale |
Lifeline Community Care – Miriam Vale Shire Community Mapping Project |
$ 20,000 |
|
Feral Arts Association |
Greenvale and Pentland |
Visioning Our Future: Rural Communities Connecting Through Digital Storytelling |
$ 18,500 |
|
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation |
Greenvale |
Capacity Support for Gugu-Badhun Natural Resource Management and Cultural Enterprise Planning |
$ 19,152 |
|
Gudjal Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation |
ChartersTowers |
Gudjal "Keeping Place" Development and Business Plan Feasibility |
$ 20,000 |
|
Mount Isa Community Development Association |
MountIsa |
LEAP Service - Living Equipment and Medical Aids Project |
$ 20,000 |
|
Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Townsville |
MountIsa |
North-West Queensland Catholic Indigenous Social Services – Cattle Camp community coordination and business plan development |
$ 20,000 |
|
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council |
Yarrabah |
Review of Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council’s five-year community development plan 2003–07 |
$ 20,000 |
|
Total |
$255,532 | ||
Funding for project implementation
|
Organisation |
Location |
Project |
Amount |
|
Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation |
Kilkivan |
Community Leadership: Skills for Changing Times adult learning forums |
$ 107,876 |
|
Queensland Murray-Darling Committee |
Roma |
That's Not Science – Wurri Gari (Giving Language) Both Ways, a two-day interactive event |
$ 40,700 |
|
Gladstone Area Promotion and Development |
Biloela |
Gladstone Hinterland Skills Attraction Program |
$ 26,150 |
|
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation |
Cardwell |
Great Australian Corroboree, a two-day cultural festival |
$ 40,550 |
|
McKinlay Shire Council |
JuliaCreek |
Centenary Year Celebrations – 100 Years of JuliaCreek, June 2007 |
$ 20,500 |
|
Burdekin Shire Council |
Home Hill |
Blueprint for the Bush–BurdekinRiverBridge 50th anniversay official dinner |
$ 11,751 |
|
Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation |
Ayr |
Introduction to Project Management and Coordination Skills Development |
$ 7,680 |
|
Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation |
Ayr |
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body Project – a one-day sporting and cultural event |
$ 8,000 |
|
Sarina Shire Council |
Sarina |
Establishment of a Project Management Officer position |
$ 120,000 |
|
Central West Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board |
Longreach |
Outback Opportunities regional promotional campaign |
$ 130,000 |
|
Total |
$513,207 | ||