Community & Business
10 May, 2021
Funding announced for local community groups
The successful applicants for the 2020/21 round of the Community Grants Program Funding have been announced, with four Pittsworth community groups and organisations set to receive funds to complete much needed upgrades.
Applications for Round 2 of the Toowoomba Regional Council’s grant program closed on March 1st, 2021, and it was announced a combined total of $563,212.01 will be shared among 59 community groups.
Among the 59 successful applicants are the Pittsworth Tennis Club, Pittsworth Golf Club, Pittsworth District Alliance and Pittsworth Arts Group, who will receive almost $50,000 combined.
The Pittsworth Tennis Club, which will receive $36,345, is planning to upgrade its tennis court lighting to LED, which President of the club Bruce Von Hoff said is much needed.
“Most of the tennis played on the courts is night tennis, so we’re upgrading the lighting on the courts for that,” Mr Von Hoff said.
“Lots of our players are a bit older so the lighting helps promote the game for those people.”
The Tennis Club’s Vice-President Alastair Silcock reinforced Mr Von Hoff’s remarks, saying the upgrade, which will be completed by a Pittsworth contractor, is well overdue.
“The main lighting system on four of the courts is now 23 years old and for the fifth court they’re 27 years old, so the need for replacement is becoming more urgent,” Mr Silcock said.
“The current fluorescent lights have become increasingly inefficient and costly in comparison with modern LED technology.
“LED lighting would use just 60 per cent of the energy our lights currently consume and would provide a better quality of light.”
Mr Von Hoff said this upgrade would not be possible without the grant.
“The grant money is a tremendous help for the club as it will cover 50 per cent of the total cost and we will cover the other half.”
The Pittsworth Tennis Club will celebrate 90 years in 2022 and the club committee is excited to mark the milestone with this legacy infrastructure upgrade that will set up the club for decades ahead.
The Pittsworth Golf Club is also set to receive some significant funding, totalling $7022.73.
President of the Golf Club Shane Smith said the grant money will be used to upgrade the flooring in their clubhouse.
“We are going to put vinyl flooring in the bar area and part of the clubhouse to make it a safer environment for everyone,” Mr Smith said.
He said although the club will still have to contribute financially, the funding is a great help and will hopefully mean the upgrades can be completed within the next few months.
“We are going to try and use as many local businesses as we can to complete this.
“Hopefully we’ll have it done within the next four or five weeks.”
The Pittsworth District Alliance received a $5000 grant which Secretary Belinda McKinlay said the organisation will use to create and distribute an ‘Investment and Liveability Prospectus’ to promote business and residential growth in the Pittsworth District.
“The development of an ‘Investment and Liveability Prospectus’ will give the Pittsworth District Alliance a concise description of the region which can then be shared with members, stakeholders and organisations to make more informed decisions on future investment, expansions or diversifications,” Ms McKinlay said.
“Pittsworth District Alliance is proactive in keeping its members and the community informed of regional opportunities and works alongside groups to enhance liveability, which leads to sustainability both economically and socially.
“The project will be outsourced to a consulting company to coordinate, research, write, design and print the Pittsworth ‘Investment and Liveability Prospectus’.
“They will liaise with the local community, businesses and the District Alliance to gain a better understanding of the region.
"The prospectus will bring together market research on a range of areas such as transport, housing and employment, along with information gathered from other stakeholders in the area.”
Finally, the Pittsworth Arts Group was approved for a $1000 grant which will go towards funding a portraiture in oils and acrylic painting workshop, run by artist Nikki Malone from Warwick.
Treasurer of the Arts Group Lyndall Madden said without the funding it would not be possible to run the workshop.
“The workshop will run over the weekend of May 22nd and 23rd and we are hoping for eight to 10 participants,” Mrs Madden said.
“With the grant it means it will only be about $50 per day per participant rather than approximately $200.”
Mrs Madden said anyone who would like to attend the workshop can contact her on 4693 2510 to secure their place or find out more information.
TRC Environment and Community Services Committee Chair Cr James O’Shea said these grants provide opportunity for growth and development and there will be more chances for local community groups to receive grants in the future.
“The Community Grants Funding program is open to the community two times a year,” Cr O’Shea said.
“Council is always working to enrich and enhance our region by providing funding for groups to complete upgrades or deliver new programs across areas such as sport and recreation, culture and the arts, the environment and events.
“The Community Grant Funding program has helped a number of groups over the years and with COVID-19 having an impact on everyone right now, it’s pleasing we’re able to provide funding assistance.”
For more information about Council’s grants and funding programs visit tr.qld.gov.au or contact Toowoomba Regional Council on 131 872.
