Nannup council approves first round of community grants

The Nannup shire council has approved the first round of community grants with more than $10,000 handed out. The funds were approved at the August 22 council meeting with eight grants given to not-for-profit community organisations with five projects requiring $500 or less. The Nannup Chamber of Commerce requested financial support for three projects, with the CCI approved for two $500 grants and a $3000 grant, while the Nannup Community Cinema group had a $2994 grant approved. Other grant recipients include Nannup Auskick, Friends of the Nannup Foreshore, Friends of Darradup Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and Friends of Community House Nannup. Shire president Tony Dean said the majority of groups that applied received their requested funds. “We have another round coming up later on in the year, where we will consider other requests as well,” he said. “It’ll happen very soon for a month, and we realise some people’s expenditures happen earlier or later in the year, which is why we have two rounds. “The second round is for those wanting to do their projects later in the year.” With the total round one funds coming in at less than the council’s $15,000 budget, the second round would get a boost. “More than likely, we’ll expand it so good projects that satisfy the criteria get the funding,” Mr Dean said. “To the community groups, (the grants) are very important because they are the leverage (they need) and if the totality of that money is for their project, then it benefits the ratepayers of Nannup.”