Community groups, sporting clubs and local Councils are being encouraged to put their hands up for a share of $150,000 in funding under Round 5 of the Macquarie Stronger

Communities Grants Program.

Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said Expressions of Interest for grants of up to $20,000 were available for projects that benefit the community.

“I’m asking Hawkesbury community and sporting groups to think about what they could do with $2,500 to $20,000 to help improve our community,” she said.

“Last year, I was able to help fund some fantastic projects across the Hawkesbury, from new timing gates and equipment for Hawkesbury City Little Athletics, a community garden for Macdonald Valley P&C Association to new beekeeping and storage equipment for Hawkesbury Beekeepers Incorporated.

“If your local sporting, community group or P&C has a project that needs an extra boost in funding for a specific project, I urge you submit your Expression of Interest before 5pm, Wednesday 18 September,” Ms Templeman said.

“It doesn’t have to be a big project, with grants available between $2500 and $20,000,” she said. “It does need to provide a benefit to the community, and the organisation must

be able to match the funding in cash or in kind.

“The Stronger Communities Program is now in its fifth round, so I’d particularly also encourage community groups that may not have been successful in their applications in the past, to put in an expression of interest.

“The program recognises the wonderful contributions of our community and sporting groups,” she said. “It can give them that capital boost they desperately need,” Ms Templeman said.

Ms Templeman said an independent panel will assist in selecting the projects to be invited to submit a formal grant application to the Department of  Industry, Innovation and Science.

Eligible organisations must be able to provide up to half of the total project cost and projects must not be underway already, and should be scheduled for completion by 30 June 2020.

To submit an expression of interest or for more information: https://www.susantempleman.com.au/scg