Eighteen Gunnedah groups share almost $70,000 in council grants

From an accessible water fountain to bush fire preparedness and art workshops, 18 community groups across the Gunnedah Shire will share $69,382.74 under Gunnedah Shire Council’s newly revised Small Grants Program.

The funding, for 2026-2027, will be split among community-based organisations and registered charities, after councillors endorsed the assessment panel’s recommendations at the October Ordinary Council meeting.

Projects range from infrastructure upgrades to local leadership workshops and an International Day of People with Disability event.

The revamped program follows a review of the council’s original grants. Council resolved to merge its Community and Sports Small Grants, Arts and Cultural Small Grants, and Access Incentive Grants into one program that is more accessible, seamless, and easier to administer.

Council Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton said it was encouraging that 21 applications had come in under the new program.

“It’s wonderful to see that streamlining the grants program has been successful,” she said.

“The focus of the program is to support projects that will benefit the community and there are lots of great ideas that can now be carried out with the support of Council.”

“These include growing local leadership workshops, lighting to support the maintenance of Westpac Rescue Helicopters, and an International Day of People with Disability event.”

The successful applicants are: