A series of community grants totalling $99,210 were the subject of a verbal scuffle between Councillors at Whitsunday Regional Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, November 23.
During Council’s review of its 2022-23 Special Grant Applications Round 1, Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson and Councillor Michael Brunker drew attention away from the large sum during a discussion raised by Councillor Michelle Wright on supplying the Bowen Horse & Pony Club Inc. with additional funds.
Councillor Wright suggested the community group needed more grant funding due to it still recovering from the Covid-19 Pandemic, during which the Horse & Pony club closed entirely.
The Councillor for Division 4 hoped to raise the figure to $15,000 from its original $12,677, which drew comments from Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson, who was “politically” conscious that the grants focused heavily on Bowen – with six of the seven Round 1 funds heading to the Whitsundays’ far north.
“I support the resolution as it stands,” Councillor Simpson said.
“And [I] congratulate the Bowen community on all these applications. Politically, it does not look very good that all these grants are going to one area.”
Community Services Director Julie Wright attempted to assuage any comments that the grants were politically motivated: “The rounds change; the same time last year we had seven applications from the Airlie Beach, Proserpine area, which were approved, and two from Bowen,” she said.
“That was on November 24, the same time last year.”
Councillor Brunker then took the opportunity to make comment.
“I suggest the Deputy Mayor take it on the chin. As a deputy mayor, or a mayor, or a councillor, I look at who we’re giving it to,” Councillor Brunker said.
“We don’t worry about Bowen, Whitsunday, or Proserpine or anywhere else. I’ve sat here with just Whitsunday and no Bowen [on this grant program]. Let’s forget about different areas, lines down the map and political this or political that, we’re here for one region.”
Councillor Simpson refuted the comments: “Since I’ve been here, all I’ve tried to do is bring the region together,” he said.
The motion was amended to increase the Pony Club’s funding to $15,000, which was carried 4/1, with the Deputy Mayor the single against.
Council approved the significant grant funding as follows:
1. Bowen Meals on Wheels Inc. - $5,000
2. Bowen & District Childcare Centre - $10,000
3. Whitsunday Community & Education Centre - $11,335
4. Bowen Community Council Inc. - $11,875
5. Bowen Horse & Pony Club Inc. - $15,000
6. Bowen Woodworkers & Woodturners Association Inc. - $20,000
7. Heronvale Rural Fire Brigade - $20,000
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