Living Here

Together Gladstone initiative to provide valuable support for our region

Gladstone Regional Council and the region’s major industries have come together to continue supporting our region’s recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launched today, the Together Gladstone fund, will support the region’s social, tourism and economic sectors through targeted investment decisions from now until 31 December 2021.

Financial contributors Boyne Smelters Limited, ConocoPhillips as downstream operator of Australia Pacific LNG, Queensland Alumina, Rio Tinto Yarwun, Santos GLNG, Shell’s QGC Business and other local industries will work together with Gladstone Regional Council to administer the fund.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett said Council was proud to be involved in an initiative that has potential to make a real difference in the lives of the region’s residents.

“The theme of Council’s budget handed down on 15 June was Collective Delivery and I am pleased to launch Together Gladstone, collectively, with our valued industry partners,” Councillor Burnett said.

“In addition to their individual COVID community recovery initiatives, our local industries have very generously contributed an additional one per cent of their rates total, equating to around $250,000, to invest in the Together Gladstone fund.

“Council applied a rates freeze in our 2020/21 Budget to all ratepayers except major industries, and through their rating contributions they have played a substantial role in supporting the region's continued recovery.”

There will be various funding streams available, falling under the categories of Community, Tourism and Economic, with several recipient projects already identified.

Importantly, local not for profit groups will be able to apply for grants of between $5000 and $10,000 to deliver initiatives in the areas of Health and Wellbeing, Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Youth, and Education. The Together Gladstone Community Grants will open for applications on 1 August via https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au/TogetherGlad.

Other local groups and projects which will benefit from the Together Gladstone funding include:

Community
- Communities for Children in delivering the Circle of Security Program
- NFP House in delivering a Grants Writing Program for both business and not-forprofit groups for a further six months
Tourism
- Investment to the Tourism Innovation Fund to support tourism, business, experience development, and marketing – Investment preference for Indigenous tourism initiatives celebrating the Year of Indigenous Tourism 2021.
Economic
- Continued development of the Gladstone Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GECCI) 'Know Local Buy Local' initiative currently supported by Shell’s QGC business