By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier
The latest round of grants from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF) in Queensland have seen close to $13 million divvied up among not-for-profit community groups.
The one-off grants of $35,000 inclusive of GST are endowed from gambling tax revenue on a quarterly basis from the Queensland Government.
“Each year, about $53 million is directly returned to groups and clubs to develop and implement a range of projects which benefit their local communities,” said Yvette D’Ath, the state’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
In the Rockhampton region alone, $190,000 was granted to community groups, which State Member for Rockhampton Bill Byrne suggests has kept many of these groups operating.
“Funding like this helps keep community groups afloat and strengthens the commitment of volunteers who run these groups,” said Mr Byrne.
“I’m especially pleased to see the Gracemere Men’s Shed receive funding to install solar panels.”
“In this round, more than 50 groups across Queensland took advantage of this opportunity and about $1.1 million was distributed to groups to purchase, install or repair solar panels or systems at their facilities.
“It’s great to see community groups acting on climate change and taking advantage of some of the best solar resources in the world that Queensland has to offer.”
Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga agreed that the grants were a desperately-need injection of funds for many groups in the area.
“From the Capricornia Cruising Yacht Club, which will receive nearly $32,000 to replace its deck, to the grant of almost $29,000 grant to the Coowonga Rural Fire Brigade to upgrade facilities, this funding is vital to help these organisations do their vital work around Cairns.”
The next round of grant applications will open in mid-July and will close 31 August 2016.