Stuart Robert (Fadden, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In the 2018 federal budget the Australian government committed to a fourth round of the Stronger Communities Program, a program every member in this House has enjoyed assisting their communities with. Last week I had the pleasure of writing to all of my local community groups to inform them about the fourth round of the Stronger Communities grants program and to encourage all of those interested groups to make an application. The Stronger Communities grants program supports the government's commitment to deliver social benefits across Australia by funding small capital projects in every one of the 150 electorates represented in this place. The SCP's intended outcomes are to improve local community participation and contribute to vibrant and healthy communities. In my community on the northern Gold Coast, the previous three rounds of funding have been well received and the benefits have been outstanding.

The fourth round of funding will provide $22½ million, which equates to $150,000 per electorate. There are a maximum of 20 projects per electorate, and of course total Commonwealth funding for each project cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total eligible project cost. Community groups have some skin in the game. The remaining share of eligible project costs can be funded from any source, including state and local government funding. The minimum grant amount is $2,500 and the maximum is $20,000. So I strongly encourage members of my community to consider making an application to this wonderful program and to contact my office if they would like more information.