Councillor Discretionary Fund 2024/2025

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

1. for capital works of the local government that are for a community purpose;
2. to a community organisation for a community purpose; or
3. for another community purpose.

Requests for assistance are assessed by the relevant Councillor with approval by the General Manager Liveability.

Grants are available for up to a total of $1,000 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.

Funding is not available for activities/events that have already commenced prior to approval.

Applications made to various grant categories within this Program for the same project will not be eligible to receive more than one (1) allocation of support per financial year.

Prior to submission of an application, applicants must contact the relevant Councillor/s and have a discussion regarding the amount being requested. 

A hardcopy of this electronic document is considered uncontrolled when printed. 

South Burnett Regional Council ('Council') recognises the important contribution community organisations and individuals make to the Council area. Through the provision of community grants program, Council demonstrates its commitment to investing in initiatives and partnerships that align with Council's corporate priorities encouraging individuals and groups to make a positive and ongoing contribution to the region.

This policy is to guide the administration of Council's Community Grants Program so to ensure the grants contribute to Council achieving its strategic goals, identified key initiatives, and align with the intent of the Local Government Act 2009 ('Act') and the Local Government Regulation 2012 ('Regulation'), which state that assistance will be used for a purpose that is in the public interest.

This policy applies to all grants, donations, sponsorship and other assistance made to:

• eligible not-for-profit community organisations delivering programs, activities and events within the Council area; and
• eligible individual South Burnett residents to attend competitions or programs representing Queensland or Australia in their chosen performance field.

The provision of concessions and waivers relating to building and development applications, undetected water leaks, provision of recycled water, lease payment fees, rates and utilities changes are not covered by this policy.

To ensure that assistance delivered through the Community Grants Program is distributed to support the provision of programs, events and initiatives which respond to identified community need, contribute to the building of stronger and vibrant communities, meet relevant guidelines and are in accordance with Council's strategic objectives as identified in Council's Corporate Plan.

Council provides the Community Grants Program ('Program') to be used for a purpose that is in the public interest.

The Program is competitive. Applications will be assessed on merit with no obligation by Council to fully expend the allocations identified in Council's annual budget. 

Council will determine annually, through the budget process, the amount of funding to be made available under this Program.

For further information the Funding Guidelines can be found HERE.

Should you need any further information or assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the South Burnett Regional Council (07) 4189 9100 or email info@sbrc.qld.gov.au

Applicants shall have no outstanding debts with Council (including rates).

If you need to contact us throughout the application process, please quote the application number below:

Funding is not available for activities/events that have already commenced prior to approval (Please refer to Community Grants Program Policy).

This grant provides small miscellaneous discretionary grants to eligible not-for-profit community organisations.

Please select the Councillor/s from whom you are requesting the funds: 

The total amount from all Councillors cannot be more than $1000.

Prior to submission of the application, applicants must contact the relevant Councillor/s, advising them of your request for support for your event/project.

I confirm that the applicant ...

• has read and understands the funding guidelines and funding criteria
• is able to demonstrate alignment between their project and the aims of this program
• is a not-for-profit organisation
• is located in South Burnett Regional Council area
• is able to demonstrate financial viability 
• does not have any outstanding acquittals or outcome reports for Council's Community Grants Program
• has no outstanding debts with Council