Opportunity Knocks - Updates to Community Partnership Grants Policy

Published on 17 June 2025

Southern Grampians Shire Council has made key changes to its Community Partnership Grants Policy—making it easier than ever for local community groups to access the support they need.

Adopted at last week’s Council meeting, the updated policy reflects feedback and consultation with previous grant recipients, grant assessors and Council officers. This has produced a grants policy that better reflects the needs of our community.

The changes being brought in with the new policy are designed to make the process straight forward and accessible. There is now more support for small projects with threshold for smaller grants increasing from $2,500 to $3,000. These grants do not require matching funding, making it easier for groups—especially those feeling the pinch in today’s economic climate—to get projects off the ground.

Under the new policy there is more Access for facility managers. For the first time, groups managing Council-owned facilities (like user groups and ‘friends of’ committees) can apply for funding for fixed assets and capital works. This opens up new possibilities for maintenance, upgrades and improvements.

The new policy also introduces clearer, fairer eligibility rules. To align with community expectations and responsible funding practices, some items are now excluded from funding. These include the purchase of alcohol, tobacco and vaping goods. Projects, activities or items related to gambling will also be excluded, as will inflatables on Council-owned lands or facilities. Aaplications where the applicant's organisation/s promote and/or benefit directly from electronic gaming machines or activities at a business where these machines operate are ineligible under the new policy.

“This update is about keeping our grants program fair, transparent and better suited to the people it’s designed to support,” said Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Dennis Heslin.

“These changes are now in effect which is particularly relevant because the Community Partnership Grants Round 1 2025 are set to open on Monday June 16 at 9.00am and remain open until Monday 21 July at 4.00pm.

“This is a hugely important and highly utilised grants program which supports initiatives that strengthen the fabric of local communities across arts and culture, community development, heritage preservation, community events and infrastructure improvements. It’s some of the best money Council spends each year to support our community.”

“If you need help getting your head around the new changes and particularly if you are managing Council-owned facilities, please reach out to our fantastic Grants team for help,” concluded Cr Heslin.

Council’s Grants Team is offering free, friendly support to help you understand the changes and get your application right. Our Grants team will be holding drop-in information sessions at the Hamilton Library on the following dates:

Friday 20 & 27 June 10:00am – 2:00pm and
Friday 4, 11 & 18 July 10:00am – 2:00pm

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The team will also visit the outer townships on their grant’s roadshow offering one-on-one consultation and application guidance. Look out for them on the following days:

Monday 23 June – 10:00am – 12:00pm Coleraine, 1:00pm – 3:00pm Balmoral
Tuesday 24 June – 10:00am – 12:00pm Cavendish, 1:00pm – 3:00pm Dunkeld
Wednesday 25 June – 10:00am – 12:00pm Glenthompson, 1:00pm – 3:00pm Penshurst
Friday 27 June – 10:00am – 11:00am Tarrington, 12:00pm – 1:00pm Byaduk, 2:00pm – 3:00pm Branxholme

Further information about the Community Partnership Grants Program can be found on the Southern Grampians Shire Council Website or call our customer service team at 5573 0444. Subscribe to our Enews and never miss a story.

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