Budget: Record Community Sector Funding

with Council to introduce a locally led economic and social recovery and resilience program across the South Burnett.

Funded by a $1.6M Federal Government grant (Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant) over the next 2 years the funding will deliver a multifaceted economic recovery, social recovery, and resilience program to build stronger South Burnett communities.

Portfolio Councillor Danita Potter said that no community could thrive without arts and culture, sport and preserving its history. “More recently we have also been paying attention and allocating resources to youth, mental health and homelessness.”

Council will continue support for the communities’ sector with much of the impact coming from subsidising community organisations and the maintenance of public buildings and facilities.

Cr Potter pointed to the myriad of community groups who rely on Council to subsidise their rates, water, sewerage and even rubbish services through exemptions and concessions. “Without Council help, these groups would find it very difficult to do the wonderful work they do in holding our community together in good times and bad.”

“Across the South Burnett the groups that benefit include the CWA, scouts and guides, youth accommodation, seniors and welfare groups, kindergartens, service and other clubs, showgrounds, racecourses, theatres, museums, heritage groups, sporting associations, charities and community owned halls.

This is in addition to the building maintenance of the art galleries and museums and the funding of equipment and services such as computers, internet, telephones, and email.

On top of that support, Council has allocated $121,000 to provide assistance to not-for-profit organisations through grants administered within the Community Grants Program.

Additional highlights of the budget include:

• Support for Council’s library services across the region continues with a budget allocation of $926,11
• Inaugural funding of $5,000 for the Region’s first Youth Council
• $36,000 to support localised mental health grants
• Funding for the Regional Arts Development Fund will be maintained the same as last year at $25,000, with Council working with other councils in the Regional Arts Network (RASN) to pool funds to make the money go further. Council will also continue to work with Regional Housing Limited for our Community, following up on Council’s donation of land to support provision of social housing in the community
• Following representation from the support committee, the Boondooma Homestead caretaker allowance has doubled.

Disaster Management   

Council’s disaster management operations budget fluctuates depending on the extent and nature of disasters and contributions from state and federal governments.

$19,600 goes to support the South Burnett’s State Emergency Service (SES) operating expenses. Council works to be prepared and able to respond to disaster events with the correct operating system enabling cross information sharing with emergency services.

“Disaster management has featured prominently in the past year as wet weather events have demanded Council’s focus on emergency road works and community recovery. We have to be prepared for what may come the next year,” said portfolio Councillor, Danita Potter.