Shire of Augusta-Margaret River grant funding schemes under review as changes flagged

Councillors have steered the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River hierarchy into reeling back its generous grants program amid belt tightening and concerns about the value to ratepayers from the scheme. The move came after councillors requested a review of grant-funding programs late last year amid a pause on the $1.135 million annual scheme, of which almost $750,000 had already been awarded. Due to regular and pending funding applications, some of the changes were aired at the latest council meeting, though a full review of the Shire’s grants regime was now scheduled for later this year. Among the forecast changes, the lucrative sustainable economy and community operating grants, introduced in the wake of the pandemic, were on hold. The performing arts grants for the Heart were also officially scrapped, now that Arts Margaret River runs the venue. Other grant streams saw overall capacity reduced, which included funding for community and major events. However, the community development easy grants saw a slight bump. “These changes will result in an initial change to the total funding pool which will reduce from $1.135m to $645,000 as a result of the proposed interim changes,” the council report said. “The total funding pool across all grants will be finalised with the final policy review.” The council had also instructed changes go before its sustainability advisory committee for input. The report also noted a low take-up of sustainable economy grants.