LATEST NEWS FROM MAYOR MARK KELLAM 3 August 2023

Published on 03 August 2023

Last Thursday there was a gathering at the Community Centre to mark the annual round of Council donations to community groups, organisations, and individuals. There were 47 successful applications totalling over $68,000.

The donations are known as “356 Donations” which refers to section 356 of the Local Government Act. Normally, Council funds must be spent on Council programs, projects and activities. Sections 356 permits the Council to provide both monetary and “in kind” donations to the community through a resolution of Council.

This routine process starts with a call from Council in about March each year for organisations and individuals seeking a small grant to undertake their activities. Written applications are made to Council with a short explanation of the purpose of the donation.

In May each year the Council decides, in a confidential part of an Ordinary Meeting, which applicants will receive a donation. Those successful applicants will have their donation purpose and amount put on public exhibition for 28 Days (as required by the Act). After the exhibition period, assuming no objections, the applicant will receive the donation.

Council sets a total budget for 356 donations and there is usually some money set aside for any urgent requests later in the year.

Most donations are somewhere between $500 to $1000 and provide support to local schools, P&C groups, and sporting groups for ground fees and other activities. Local clubs also receive donations for specific activities or support in acquiring a piece of equipment which is important for the functioning of the Club. Occasionally larger donations are approved for specific purposes.

“In kind” donations are also common. This is where Council can provide a service to an organisation which has a definable cost. An example is the provision of a Council earth moving machine and operator for three hours to level a site for a not-for-profit group.

Almost all the donations are to organisations and individuals in our LGA. However, some donations go to external organisations that provide a particular service to the people in our LGA. Bathurst Lifeline is an excellent example.

The presentation on Thursday evening was a showcase of our volunteers and other groups and individuals in our community. When receiving their 356 certificates a lot of recipients chose to say a few words about what they will do with the donation and those few words, spoken from the heart, told a wonderful tale about our community.

On Thursday 3 August the Oberon Against Wind Towers (OAWT) is holding a community meeting at the RSL at 6.30pm. I will be there with several other Councillors to provide the Council’s perspective and background information about the Forest Corporation proposal to erect wind towers in State Forests.