General News
12 October, 2026
Groups get financial boost
COMMUNITY groups, sports clubs, and cultural organisations across the region will benefit from a major financial injection following the latest Cassowary Coast Regional Council meeting.
Councillors at last month’s meeting formally endorsed recommendations for round one of the 2026–2027 ‘Community Programs and Initiatives Stream’ as well as the ‘Community Infrastructure Grant Stream’.
Together, the two funding pools will distribute over $240,000 to grassroots projects aimed at fostering “a healthy, active and inclusive community with a strong sense of identity, belonging and pride.”
Key events and projects secured
Under the Community Programs and Initiatives Stream, six local organisations successfully secured a total of $25,571.40 out of an allocated $60,000 budget.
Among the standout recipients, the Cardwell UFO Festival Inc received the full requested amount of $7500 to power the upcoming 2027 event, a popular drawcard for regional tourism.
Anglers and visitors also got a boost with $3630 awarded to the Cardwell Sportfishing Club for the Cardwell Barra Bonanza 2026.
Other successful initiatives focused on equipment and local heritage included:
Goondi Scout Group: $5499 for a new ride-on lawnmower.
Tully Motorcycle Club: $4942.40 for track irrigation upgrades.
Innisfail and District Pipe Band Association: $2000 for pipe band supplies.
Tully Women in Agriculture: $2000 for their sustainable signage project.
With six of the 13 applications meeting all eligibility criteria, council confirmed that the remaining $34,428 balance from round one will be rolled over into round two, to support future community-led programs.
Essential facilities get lifeline
Demand was particularly high for the Community Infrastructure Grant Stream, which saw 22 applications vying for a piece of the region’s $214,873 available budget.
Following a rigorous evaluation process by the assessment panel – which included deputy mayor Cr Nicholas Pervan – 16 local facilities were awarded grants totalling $214,815.
“Council noted the increased number and high standard of applications and acknowledged and thanked all applicants for their submissions,” the meeting report highlighted.
The largest individual grants were directed toward essential local gathering spaces and sporting hubs:
Tully and District Show Society: $30,000 for critical bar repairs.
Tully and District Men’s Shed: $28,498 to construct a permanent covered area.
Mission Beach Rotary Club: $25,400 for an electrical upgrade at Ulysses Park.
Cardwell State School P&C Association: $25,254 for a water bubbler refresh project.
Garradunga and District Progress Association: $19,064 toward hall roofing repairs.
“The Garradunga Progress Association would like to express our gratitude to the CCRC for awarding us the grant,” association president Ian Richardson said.
“It will assist immensely with the remedial restoration to save the hall,” he said.
“Along with the wonderful community support, we thank you for believing in our mission to regenerate the hall and deliver an amenity the community is proud of and fit for any purpose.”
In addition, vital community care providers received targeted support, including $8308 for Cairns Meals on Wheels to upgrade their Mission Beach dispatch centre, ensuring essential services continue to run smoothly.
Read More: Cassowary Coast