RUSSELL BOWLS CLUB GETS NEW MOWER; BUT COUNCILLOR GRANTS MAY BE AT AN END!
The Russell Island Bowls Club has a new ride-on mower thanks to Redland City Council’s Division 5 representative, Cr Mark Edwards.
The councillor supported a Councillor Grant of $2000 of the $3500 required for the purchase of the new Husqvarna ride on; with the club making up the difference.
Cr Mark Edwards said he was ‘delighted’ to make the funds available, but stated that this could be the ‘last ever’ funds made to island groups and organisations from a Councillor Grant.
Up until last year, in the council budget, councillors were allocated $20,000 to each Division to distribute to ‘worthy community causes’ via a Councillor Grant application.
The councillor told The Friendly Bay Islander that it may be unlikely for the Councillor Grant program to continue in its current form.
He explained that the State Government had passed legislation this year that restricted the amount of funding available for Councillor Grants. "There is now a formula required based on Council income. For a Council the size of Redlands, the Council Grant funding was more than halved." the Councillor said.
"Previously the $20,000 wasn't really enough to meet all worthy applications so having less than half of the funds raises the question of having a different type of support mechanism for community groups".
Whilst a decision on the future of the Councillor Grants has not been made by Council, it would appear that the Councillor Grants in their present form will be reviewed.
The lawn mower to the Russell Island Bowls Club was probably the very last grant under this system as no further funding is available.
• Cr Mark Edwards hands over the mower keys to club president Laurie Gurr.