Council
26 April, 2024
Funding flows to ‘Grow community’
A NEW project aiming to heighten community connectedness was among the projects to receive funding at Corangamite Shire’s Ordinary Meeting of Council on Tuesday.
Businesses cashed in on the latest round of Corangamite Shire’s Business Assistance Scheme (BAS) funding, with thousands flowing under the scheme designed to support local businesses, community enterprises, creative industries and community development.
Among the funding recipients was Camperdown’s Innerbloom Gardening Therapy, which received $2000 in funding.
The funding will assist in the development of the ‘Grow Community’ program, delivered in partnership between Innerbloom Gardening Therapy and Camperdown Community Garden.
The ‘Grow Community’ program was described to council as involving growing seasonal vegetables, herbs and flowers, sharing knowledge, and having a friendly chat over a cuppa.
The program aims to create a sense of belonging, social connection and support individuals in the community with their mental and emotional wellbeing.
The motion was moved by councillors Ruth Gstrein and Geraldine Conheady.
Cr Conheady said she was pleased to see businesses capitalising on the available funding.
“I’m happy that local businesses are keeping an eye out for our BAS and making the most of this opportunity for funding to improve their facades and their creative energies,” she said.
In addition, Creative on High and Dalvue Motel in Terang also received funding, $532 and $685 respectively, for improvements to be made to exterior signage for each respective business.
Adams Bikes in Cobden also received $3234 to renovate the dilapidated concreate in front of the store.
Cr Gstrein said the quality of the applications highlighted how successful the BAS had been in aligning with the shire’s ‘Grow and Prosper Corangamite’ strategy.
“There are four excellent applications before us and I think that’s what we can see with our ‘Grow and Prosper’ framework,” she said.
“The new funding streams we have are certainly used well.
“I congratulate these businesses for putting their applications in, and certainly encourage all businesses to have a look at the funding streams that are on offer, and take advantage of them.”
Councillors voted unanimously in support of the motion