New grants to help green the City

23 July 2010

Four innovative groups of local residents will get a financial boost through the City of Sydney's Local Action Plans Matching Grants Program to kickstart their ideas for environmentally focused neighbourhood activation projects.

The Matching Grants Program offers cash funding of up to $10,000 to support any not-for-profit community or neighbourhood group with a project in mind to improve, enhance or celebrate the City's Villages.

For the first round of 2010/2011 funding, four applications were received and all four grants have been recommended for funding.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said: "Our Matching Grants Program provides the means for local community members to get small but significant projects off the ground. It gives them the tools to grow food, learn and share information about sustainable living practices, and build friendships."

The four groups that are likely to receive funding are:

 PROSPECT LANE WORKING GROUP ($6468 - Community maintained planter boxes for Prospect Lane, Surry Hills)

• A group of enthusiastic residents have applied for a Matching Grant to activate Prospect Lane, Surry Hills with designer planter boxes and greenery. In developing their proposal, the group held in house community meetings, conducted doorknocking of the local area, and raised $3612 of their own cash which they have committed to put towards the project. The group will hold a neighbourhood planting day and community event to celebrate their new space.

CHIPPENDALE FRESH FOOD COOPERATIVE ($8465 - Establishment of a 'Co-op Classroom Garden' for further development and expansion of the Chippendale Fresh Food Co-operative)

• The Chippendale Fresh Food Co-op has applied to expand their successful local initiative with the addition of a new outdoor learning space which will produce home grown produce and be a hands-on learning environment for the Co-Op community.

HARGRAVE LANE PROJECT WORKING GROUP ($5542 - Community maintained planter boxes for Hargrave Lane, East Sydney)

• This broad community project focuses on the uniqueness of the East Sydney area, and will see the planting of fruit trees maintained by local residents. The group has also committed to hosting a series of workshops where neighbours will teach and learn from each other about things like cooking and composting.

 ASYLUM SEEKERS CENTRE GARDENING GROUP ($2950 - Development of a bush food forest in consultation with local Aboriginal specialists)

• With the help of the Asylum Seekers Centre a group of local volunteers will create a 'Welcome Garden' with a range of native plants and bush foods which will be used as a training ground to teach clients and volunteers about Australia's native flora.  

The City currently has 16 grants and sponsorships programs which provide funding and support across a range of activities. All you need is a great idea and a group of willing volunteers and City staff can help make your idea a reality.

The City is currently accepting applications for the next round of Matching Grants. Submissions will close at 6:00pm on Monday, 2 August.

For more information, contact the City of Sydney on 9265 9217 or www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/matchinggrants.

Media Contact: Rachael Stevens 9265 9082/0448 464 871 or rstevens@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au 
For interviews with the Lord Mayor call Cie'Jai Leggett on 9265 9752 or cleggett@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au