Swan Hill’s new council has been urged to review the criterion around granting funds to local community groups, particularly religious groups.
At last month’s ordinary meeting, council resolved to support 29 groups, who will share $70,000, as part of the 2016/17 Community Grants Program.
A total of 55 applicants were received this year, a decrease of 15 on the previous year’s number.
Former Central Ward councillor Jessie Kiley said the new council needed to review the parameters of what would and wouldn’t be considered acceptable in grant matters.
“For example religious groups have been negated from funding, which I have serious questions about,” she said.
“There is also a heavy swap towards sporting groups and while they contribute and are big groups, there are some small groups who contribute quite a lot to people who attend them.
“There is a much higher risk of being lost if not supported.”
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