GREENS SUPPORT INITIATIVES FOR BUSINESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT GRANTS

Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnet today moved a motion to introduce and fund 2 new grants programs as part of Council’s annual program.

The motion proposed 2 new categories be created in Council’s annual funding
grants:

o The Environmental Grants Program. This program would support
projects that provide a clear environmental benefit to Hobart’s environs by:
§ delivering services, activities or resources with direct positive
environmental outcomes and/or
§ develop knowledge, skills and confidence in the community to
encourage environmental improvement within the Hobart municipality
o The Business Support Grants Program. This program would strive to
revitalize, enhance and sustain local commercial and retail precincts for the benefit of residents, visitors and the City of Hobart’s communities.

The motion was supported unanimously by aldermen.

Ald Burnet introduced the new categories to encourage and reward projects to improve concepts in these two areas.
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“The Greens feel that the Council should recognise those communities and organizations who support local initiatives to improve our city, both for the environment and local business zones.

“The creation of a category for environmental projects reflects the increased environment-related submissions in our grants rounds both for 2009 and in earlier years. These projects have added great value to our city and biodiversity through the fantastic action of local communities”. Ald Burnet said.

“The business grants would stimulate a focus on a particular area of the City. This could be for proposals such as for a good food guide, or street festival or activity focusing on, say, South Hobart.

“I am very pleased that Council considered the strengths of this proposal. I look forward to the time when these grants are available and to see the many projects that we as a Council can support.”

The report will come back to Council for consideration in the new year.

1. That a report be prepared to consider:

The establishment of

Rationale:
The Council has a successful round of community and arts grants. Over the years many of the successful applications have been for environmental projects and there is a trending increase in the number of environmental applications with many active local community-based groups applying for funding projects. It is therefore proposed that an Environmental Grants Program recognize these projects in their own right.

The Business Grants Program is a new concept to the Grants Program. Its aim would be to encourage local not-for-profit groups which could collectively improve their local business area. This might be for example by stimulating local economic activity, providing for sustainable employment opportunities or making links to their local community organizations.
Greens Alderman Helen Burnet Deputy Lord Mayor Hobart City Council