Grants Available To Enhance Mackay Businesses & Public Spaces

Photo supplied

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Fresh opportunities are now available for community groups, businesses and creatives with bold ideas to bring Mackay's City Centre or Waterfront to life, as council opens applications for its Make Your Place Mackay Waterfront Grant Program.

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Grants of up to $7,500 are available to help deliver community-focused projects and activations that transform public spaces.

The program supports projects and activities that connect the local community and create vibrant, welcoming places where people want to gather, visit and spend time.

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Mayor Greg Williamson said the placemaking grants were designed to help turn creative ideas into projects that enhance the city's public spaces and strengthen community connections.

“We know some of the best community initiatives start with a simple idea,” Mayor Williamson said.

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“The Make Your Place grants give local organisations, businesses and community members the opportunity to bring those ideas to life and create experiences that make our City Centre and Waterfront even more vibrant and welcoming,” he said

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Under the program, grants of up to $7500 are available for larger community-led projects, while microgrants of up to $1500 are available for smaller pop-up activities and activations.

Previous initiatives have included community events, live entertainment, creative activations and other projects that add vibrancy to the precinct.

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In addition to the Make Your Place grants, council is also offering two complementary funding programs:

• City Safety Grant – funding of up to $3000 for projects that improve safety and support the late-night economy within the City Centre

• Façade Improvement Grant – co-funding of up to $5000, covering up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, to encourage property owners and business operators to improve the external appearance of their premises. The Façade Improvement Grant is open to property owners and tenants within the entire Mackay local government area.

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Together, the three grants support local businesses, organisations and community members to create vibrant, safe and welcoming places while enhancing Mackay’s City Centre and Waterfront precinct.

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Applications for all grants are now open and close at 11.59pm on August 28^th.

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Application forms, guidelines and eligibility information are available at mackaywaterfront.com.au.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their project with the Mackay City and Waterfront team prior to submitting an application.

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Community Briefing Day

To help applicants prepare competitive submissions, the Mackay City and Waterfront team will host a day of community briefing sessions.

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Date: Thursday 30^th July

Venue: Aligned Corporate Residences – Level 1 Conference Room, Macalister Street, Mackay.

Session times: 7.30am, 8am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

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The team will also be available throughout the day from 7.30am to 4.30pm to answer questions and provide guidance.

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