Discretionary Funds

Section 201(B) Local Government Regulation 2012

The South Burnett Regional Council has established Councillor Discretionary Funds in support of community purposes and meeting requests for financial assistance from community organisations.

The following amounts have been allocated in the 2024/25 Budget for each Councillor's Discretionary Fund:

Pursuant to Section 202 of the Local Government Regulation 2012, a Councillor may use any Councillor Discretionary Fund in the following ways:

• a) spend for a community purpose (i.e., not ongoing expenses such as annual insurance);
• b) allocate for capital works of the local government that are for a community purpose;
• c) allocate to a community organisation (a group or individual whose primary object is not to make a  profit) for a community purpose.

Council’s Councillor Discretionary Fund provides Council with the ability to provide small miscellaneous discretionary grants to eligible not-for-profit community organisations in response to requests which are received from time to time.

This fund recognises that small activities, projects and events, deserving of support from Council, come up in an ad hoc way throughout the year. Requests for assistance are assessed by the relevant Councillor with approval by the General Manager Community.

Grants are available for up to a total of $500 to eligible applicants.

Applications can be made throughout the financial year and must be received by Council a minimum of three (3) weeks prior to the activity/event.

Applicants must indicate on the request if they are seeking support from multiple Councillors Discretionary Funds for the same activity/project/event.

Apply for Councillor's Discretionary Funds here.

Requirements for notice of allocation

In accordance with Section 202A of the Local Government Regulation 2012

Within 7 business days after a Councillor allocates an amount of discretionary funds under section 202, the Councillor must give the Chief Executive Officer a notice about the allocation stating -

(a) the amount allocated; and

(b) the date the amount was allocated; and

(c) the way in which the amount was allocated; and

(d) if the amount was allocated to a person or organisation—the name of the person or organisation to whom the allocation was made; and

(e) the purpose for which the amount was allocated, including sufficient details to identify how the funds were, or are to be, spent. Maximum penalty

Within 7 business days after the Chief Executive Officer is given a notice under subsection (1), the Local Government must publish the notice on its website.

Councillor Discretionary Fund - Current Year

View the 2024-2025 Councillor Discretionary Fund Availability Notice here.

View the current 2024-2025 Councillor Discretionary Fund Record here.

Councillor Discretionary Fund - Previous Years

View previous years Councillor Discretionary Fund information here.