Community Grants - Facility Infrastructure and Equipment

The objectives of the Flinders Shire Council’s Facility Infrastructure and Equipment Stream is to provide assistance to local community groups/organisations to encourage and assist them in the development and upgrading of existing facilities and access funding for the purchase of equipment that is integral to the operations, sustainability and growth of the group/organisation.

The Facility Infrastructure and Equipment Stream categories:

• Facility Infrastructure and Equipment - Up to $10,000.
• Facility Infrastructure and Equipment Special Request - Up to $20,000.
• Only one application will be accepted from each group/organisation on their own behalf per project per financial year.
• Applications are open all year round and must received 8 weeks prior to the project start date.
• The decision of Council on funding applications is final.
• Financial Support may require compliance with specific conditions before payment. Should these conditions not be met by the specified date, Council reserves the right to revoke the offer of support.
• Project must be completed within a 12-month time frame or otherwise negotiated with Council.
• Flinders Shire Council expects relevant acknowledgment of financial support.
• No funds will be released until a Letter of Acceptance is returned from the applicant.  The agreement outlines the terms and conditions.
• All successful grant recipients will be listed on the Flinders Shire Council website for public viewing.

Groups/Organisations are required to:

• Have acquitted any previous Flinders Shire Council funding satisfactorily.
• Be properly constituted with organisational incorporation (not-for-profit organisation).
• Have a valid public liability certificate.
• Operate within the Flinders Shire boundary.
• Have the majority of members of the group/organisation residents in the Flinders Shire Council area.
• Submit a detailed budget for the project and quotes.
• Show adequate co-contribution within the detailed budget – this can be either cash or in-kind.
• Submit the organisations most current audited financial statement.
• Must have current ABN or complete a Statement by a Supplier Form.
• Facilities and equipment (within reason) are to be provided to and be available to the general public / members.
• Organisations on Council controlled land must have an existing land tenure agreement with Council and be compliant with all relevant conditions of the agreement OR
• Own or be trustee of the land/facility.

• Organisations are ineligible if previous Council grants are not satisfactorily acquitted.
• Individuals, unincorporated groups, political and for-profit groups.
• Schools, P & C Associations, Universities and TAFE colleges.
• For retrospective funding of any projects.
• Projects that are the responsibility of the State or Commonwealth Governments.
• Organisations that currently receive capital funding from Council or use a Council maintained facility (facility funding only).

The following will not be considered for funding:

• General operating costs (e.g. electricity, rates, phone, rent, meals, hire of Council assets, accommodation, and maintenance).
• Private/commercial ventures.
• Projects under litigation.
• Relocation costs.
• Retrospective funding.
• Recurrent funding.
• Support for an individual pursuit.
• Ongoing salaries/wages for staff (a position created for the length of a project is considered eligible).
• Projects that do not involve the Flinders Shire Council community.

Applications must demonstrate:

• The application should address a community need and reflect a clear whole community benefit.
• The capacity of the applicant to successfully complete the project.
• The applicant must show adequate co-contribution within the detailed budget – this can be either cash or in-kind.
• Facilities are on Freehold land, Crown land or land under an acceptable deed, trust or tenure for non-profit incorporated bodies.
• A balanced, realistic and complete project budget including committed financial contribution by the application, other grant agencies or sponsorships.
• All key stakeholders must be consulted and written consent obtained where necessary.
• Proposals should be consistent with Council’s Corporate Plan outcomes and strategies -
  • A strong and diverse economy
  • A cohesive and growing community
  • A high performance council
  • A protected and productive natural environment
• That the project does not duplicate an existing service or facility in the Shire.
• Priority may be given to projects that are of regional significance and will utilise funds (if successful) to seek other external funding (e.g. Gambling Community Benefit Fund).

Successful applicants

You will receive a Letter of Offer, a Letter of Acceptance, and an Acquittal Form will be linked to your Smarty Grants account. The Letter of Offer will include Terms and Conditions of the grant, any special conditions that may have been attached to your grant and GST information.
Conditions of funding may include:

• Period for which grant is offered, with milestone dates.
• Specification of agreed output.
• Ensure recognition of Council’s participation.
• Obtain all necessary consents and approvals.
• At the completion of the project provide Council with an Acquittal Report, including final costs, together with details of community participation.
• Council’s financial responsibility being limited to the approved grant.
• All attempts must be made to purchase on a competitive basis, goods & labour from within the Flinders Shire.
• Any extension or request to carry over funding into the next year is to be requested in writing to Council and will be considered. The final outcome is at Council discretion.
• An obligation to notify Council of any material changes in the project.
• Upon returning of the signed Letter of Offer, the Community Group is to provide a Tax Invoice for the Grant Amount (plus GST) to Council for payment. It is a requirement that all unspent funds are to be returned to Council.

You will need to complete and sign the Letter of Acceptance before any funding will be released. You have 12 months from the date of signing the Letter of Acceptance to complete the project.

Council may offer a lower funding amount than required and may place conditions on or be specific about the items in the budget that it is offering to fund. This will require applicants to revise the original budget and proposal outcomes to show that the proposal can still be completed, and the outcomes achieved.

Unsuccessful applicants
Failure to receive funding is not necessarily due to a poor application but may be the result of the demand for funds. For feedback on your grant application, please refer to the contact phone number given in your notification letter.

Community Development Officer – Health and Wellbeing

Flinders Shire Council

PO Box 274, Hughenden Qld 4821

P (07) 4741 2900

E: sportandrec@flinders.qld.gov.au