Community Recovery Grants Program available for those in need from WA

Staff Writer
Community Recovery Grants Program
Image credit: Natee K Jindakum via Shutterstock

The Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries in Western Australia is getting behind the Community Recovery Grants Program.

The grant has been made available to assist communities affected by the events associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie in late 2022.

Funding will go towards rebuilding local groups and community organisations so that they can deliver activities and events to support general social and emotional wellbeing, with access to resources a key pillar of building resilience.

This grant program is part of the Community Social Recovery Program – jointly funded through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The program offers three initiative grant types:

  1. Small Community Initiative Grants for projects ranging from $2500 to $20,000
  2. Large Community Initiative Grants for projects ranging from $20,001 to $100,000.
  3. Additionally, there is an opportunity for claims up to $75,000 for clean-up and repair expenses.

This covers the following four Local Government areas:

  • Shire of Broome
  • Shire of Derby-West Kimberley
  • Shire of Halls Creek
  • Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley

Eligibility to apply will depend on which of the above streams is chosen depending on the organisation.

Organisations who can apply for the Small and Large Community Recovery Grants are:

  • Not-for-profit organisations incorporated either under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA) or Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) with an Australian Business Number (ABN).
  • Indigenous organisations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth).
  • Exceptional consideration may also be given for an organisation or agency to auspice an application on behalf of a community group, noting that some community groups may not have capacity to apply for or administer funds.

Organisations who can apply for the Clean-up Recovery Grant are:

  • Not-for-profit organisations incorporated either under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA) or Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) with an Australian Business Number (ABN).
  • Indigenous organisations registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) that:
    • relies on grant funding or donations for the majority of income
    • has an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and that ABN was active prior to and during the disaster
    • suffered direct damage as a result of flooding associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie to the organisation’s premise and/or plant and equipment and the cost of repair or replacement are the applicant’s responsibility
    • was conducting operations and/or services (at least sometime on a regular basis) in the disaster area prior to and at the time of the event
    • has, or intends to, re-establish operations/services in the disaster area.

With the Community Recovery Grants remaining open for applications until April 30, 2025 – there is still plenty of time to submit an application.

For full details, you can find them here.

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Football Queensland’s Logan hub plan rejected by council

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Image Credits: Football Queensland

Football Queensland’s plans for a major new football hub at Meakin Park have been rejected by Logan City Council. The proposed $76.1 million redevelopment aimed to create a state home for football in Queensland.

Council unanimously rejected Football Queensland’s request for longer-term leases and additional land at the Slacks Creek site. The decision leaves the organisation’s current leases in place. The proposed development would have delivered new playing fields, elite training facilities and a dedicated home for Football Queensland.

Three-stage development

The first stage of Queensland Football’s development carried an $8.5 million price tag. It would upgrade fields, lighting, drainage and irrigation across Meakin and Mappas parks. The goal was to create a six-field, international-standard training venue.

The second stage represented the largest investment. Football Queensland planned to spend $55.3 million on a new headquarters at the adjoining Queens Park site. The facility would include a Women and Girls Academy, sports science facilities, sports medicine and strength and conditioning services.

A third $12.3 million stage would add an indoor futsal academy and two synthetic fields. Football Queensland said the project could create a major football precinct for the region. It also saw the facility playing a role in Queensland’s preparations for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

Lease decision creates roadblock

Queensland’s governing body sought a 25-year lease with an option for another 25 years. Chief executive Robert Cavallucci said longer tenure was essential to secure government funding and move the project forward. The organisation has around three years remaining on its existing leases.

Council took a different view. Concerns included community access, funding certainty, future costs and the level of use at the existing facilities. Councillors also questioned whether a long-term arrangement would deliver enough benefit to Logan residents and grassroots clubs. Logan Council has now ordered a review of Football Queensland’s performance under its current lease.

Grassroots football at the centre

The decision highlights a wider issue for football infrastructure. Major facilities can provide elite pathways, sports science and high-performance opportunities, but unless councils can ensure local players and clubs can access the fields, they will be rejected.

Meakin Park already serves several sporting organisations, including football users and community sporting groups. Football Queensland said it had invested almost $2 million at Meakin Park and Mappas fields. It also argued the precinct operates at around 130 per cent capacity. For Queensland football, the challenge now is finding a model that can deliver high-performance facilities while expanding access for the community.

The proposal may have been rejected, but the need for better football infrastructure remains. With participation growing and Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games approaching, the debate over where and how Queensland builds its next generation of football facilities is unlikely to disappear.

NSW Government opens $4.65 million Local Sport Grant Program

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Image Credit: Football Australia

The NSW Government has opened applications for the 2026–27 Local Sport Grant Program, with up to $4.65 million available to support grassroots sporting organisations across the state.

The program will provide grants ranging from $2,000 to $20,000 for incorporated not-for-profit sporting clubs and associations.

Funding is aimed at increasing participation, improving governance and enhancing community sporting facilities.

Applications opened on 27 July and will close at 1pm on 24 August 2026, with successful applicants expected to be announced in December 2026.

The Local Sport Grant Program forms part of the NSW Office of Sport’s ‘Everyone Plays Here’ strategic plan.

The plan is designed to strengthen community sport by supporting initiatives that encourage regular participation and improve long-term member retention.

Funding is also available for projects that reduce barriers to participation and create more inclusive sporting environments, particularly for women and girls, multicultural communities, people with disability, First Nations people and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

In addition to participation initiatives, the program will support projects that improve the financial sustainability and governance of community sporting clubs, while also investing in the quality, adaptability and environmental sustainability of sporting facilities across New South Wales.

Successful projects must be completed by June 2028, with applicants required to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the program guidelines.

The NSW Office of Sport has encouraged eligible organisations to submit applications before the closing date, with grants awarded through a competitive assessment process.

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