Community grants program
APPLICATIONS for council’s community grants program are due to open on July 13.
Community groups and event organisers will be able to apply for up to $5000 from the grants program.
The program is broken into two categories, the event support fund for assistance to new and existing events that encourage social and economic benefits to our region.
There’s also the community development fund, which helps eligible community groups and organisations to meet their goals.
This year, council has increased its budget and additional funds are now available.
Council is encouraging all groups and organisations, particularly those significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, to consider applying this year.
Grants like these support our community and have a significant impact by stimulating the economy, encouraging events to bring visitors to the region and improving our local facilities.
Application forms and guidelines will be available via council’s website www.swanhill.vic.gov.au.
Applications close on August 17 at 5pm.
For more information, contact the economic and community development team on 5032 3033 or email ecodev@swanhill.vic.gov.au.
Strategies adopted
AT its ordinary meeting last Tuesday, council adopted the youth strategy 2020-2025 and the public convenience strategy 2020-2030.
The youth strategy considers the needs and aspirations of young people aged 12 to 25 who live, work or study in the municipality.
It provides overall direction for council’s youth support services program and guides the initiatives, advocacy and support work for young people and their families.
This is the third youth strategy that council has developed since 2009.
Widespread community consultation and engagement was undertaken as part of the strategy’s development with 1106 young people, parents, service providers and community members providing their thoughts during this process.
The public convenience strategy 2020-2030 relates to council’s network of public toilets and how council can provide this service to meet current and future needs of the community.
The public toilet network includes town areas, wayside rest stops, recreation reserves and parks across the municipality.
When it come to public toilets, there were a number of requirements identified for the strategy.
This includes meeting the needs of the public, meeting Disability Discrimination Act requirements, and low-maintenance facilities that are safe for users, easy to clean, vandal resistant, are in a suitable location, are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
To view these strategies in full, please visit council’s website www.swanhill.vic.gov.au and click on ‘Plans and Strategies’ under the ‘About Council’ tab.
Parking meters off until August 1
IN light of some COVID-19 restrictions being reintroduced last week, parking meters will remain off until August 1.
As part of its response to the coronavirus pandemic, council switched off parking meters on March 30.
Despite meters being switched off, parking time limits and restrictions still apply.
This is to ensure we still have parking turnover so customers can easily visit local businesses and access the services they need.
Council will be issuing fines to people that are not following parking signage.
