Funding assistance available to sport and recreation clubs and organisations

SRV – Emergency Grant: Sporting and Recreational Equipment

This program provides grants of up to $2,000 to replace essential sports equipment lost or destroyed during floods and other unpreventable and exceptional events.

Essential equipment includes that which is necessary to participate in sport or active recreation (e.g. bats, balls, gloves, helmets, bikes, gymnastic mats, etc) as well as first aid equipment that is necessary for immediate attention to injury that may occur during participation in sport or active recreation.

The program does not provide funding for fixed playing surfaces and structures, non playing equipment (e.g. public address systems, banners, trophies, videos, etc), canteen items (e.g. fridges, microwaves, food/drinks, cash registers, etc), maintenance equipment including tools, equipment damaged through wear and tear, and equipment not owned by the applicant but by another organisation or individual.

Further information is available on the Department of Planning and Community Development website.

http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/home/grants/all-grants/emergency-sporting-and-recreational-equipment

Rural Finance - Clean-up and Restoration grants & loans

Grants of up to $25,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations who have suffered direct damage as a result of the floods for clean-up, removal of debris and business restoration. Applications close on 31 July 2011.

The Clean-up and Restoration Grant can assist with:

• clean-up costs including hire of equipment, materials and external labour

• removal and disposal of debris and damaged goods and materials

• payment for tradespersons to conduct safety inspections

• essential repairs to internal fittings e.g. floor coverings, electrical re-wiring

• leasing of temporary premises

• repairs to buildings (other than housing)

• reconditioning/repairing essential plant and equipment.

Concessional loans for the replacement of lost or damaged assets are also available at 2.8% interest for an initial period of up to five years. Loans will generally be limited to $200,000, and adequate security will be required for any lending.

Further information on the grants and loans is available on the Rural Finance website.

VicHealth – Active Clubs grants program

VicHealth has extended its 2010/2011 Active Club Grants funding round. Applications from local sporting clubs, regional sporting leagues and associations and local active recreation clubs in areas of Victoria affected by the January 2011 floods will be prioritised.

These organisations now have until 28 February to apply.

Grants of up to $2,500 are available for the purchase of:

• Essential sporting equipment/items

• Sports injury prevention equipment

• Volunteer and club training

• Portable sun shade

VicHealth will also waive the eligibility criteria that would normally prevent clubs in flooded regions that have already received an Active Club Grant in the past three years from applying again this year.

Further information is available on the VicHealth website.

http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub

Clubs seeking more information or assistance with applications can call 03 9667 1308.

Victorian Government – Community Recovery Fund

The "Community Recovery Fund" is a $4 million fund focussed on rebuilding social networks and functioning, and restoring community facilities damaged by the floods.

Further detail on this fund will be provided once arrangements have been finalised.

Commonwealth Bank – Community Flood Assistance Grants Program

The Commonwealth bank is providing grants of up to $20,000 to community groups affected by the floods through a $5 million grants program. Applications close on 11 March 2011.

Further information can be found at the Commonwealth Bank's website: