Community Resilience Grants Opening Soon
Published on 03 November 2022
Bellingen Shire Council has allocated $115,000 of the Local Government Flood Recovery Funding to a series of “Community Resilience Grants” aimed at bolstering responses during a disaster and strengthening our community groups and connection.
The Local Government Flood Recovery Funding was provided to Bellingen Shire Council after the disaster declaration of the February and March floods this year. $1M was provided to each affected council, and Bellingen Shire’s Community Resilience Team held Flood Recovery Roundtables and conducted surveys to find out how the community was impacted and what mattered most to their recovery.
The result was a series of projects including two grant streams for community to get involved: Connected Communities Grant and the Get Ready Community Grant.
Connected Communities Grant acknowledges the feedback from residents across the Shire that getting together, connecting with others, and celebrating what makes our Shire unique is central to good community resilience and wellbeing. This grant of up to $2,500 is available to community organisations and groups to put on or contribute to an event or activity that brings everyone together.
The Get Ready Community Grant is divided into two streams. In stream 1, local emergency services and community organisations can apply for funding of up to $10,000 to further equip themselves to respond in a disaster, or to better support the community in recovery. In stream 2, community groups are being offered up to $5,000 to strengthen and reinvigorate after years of difficulty.
It is recognised that our local community groups, be it volunteer organisations or hobby and interest groups, play an important role in residents feeling a sense of belonging, building friendships, and contributing back to their community.
“After years when consecutive disasters have forced us apart, it’s time to get back together, to get reinvolved and reconnected with our community and reinvigorate our volunteer spirit. There are many new residents in our Shire who are looking for ways to get involved with the community, to make friends and become part of what makes Bellingen Shire special.” said Mayor, Cr Steve Allan.
Applications for these grants will open on Monday 14 November 2022 and close Monday 12 December 2022.
Further guidelines for the grants are available on Councils website in the Grants and Funding section. Staff will be available in person for any questions or assistance with your application at the following locations, or ongoing through contacting council on 02 6655 7300.
- Bellingen Library Wednesday 16 November 2:00pm – 4:30pm
- Urunga Library Friday 18 November 10:30am – 1:00pm
- Dorrigo Library Tuesday 22 November 10:30am – 1:00pm