2025-2026 OUT OF ROUND COMMUNITY GRANT APPLICATION FOR A THREE-YEAR COMMUNITY ALLIANCE AGREEMENT · Report

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application in the second stage.

Full applications are evaluated by community grants assessors against the following criteria:
   •   Service overview and target reach
   •   Organisational capacity and governance
   •   Financial sustainability and value for money
   •   Community impact and benefit
   •   Demonstrated community need
   •   Alignment with Council’s strategic plans and priorities
   •   Partnerships and collaboration
   •   Innovation and continuous improvement
Applications are then considered by a moderation panel, who review assessors' recommendations
and confirms funding allocations. All assessors and panel members declare any actual or perceived
conflicts of interest and are excluded from discussions or decisions related to those applications.

Organisations awarded a Three-Year Community Alliance Agreement are not eligible for Three-Year
Maintenance Agreements or Three-Year Signature Community Event Grants. Funding for years two
and three (2026 and 2027) is subject to sufficient allocations in future Council budgets.

Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society - Community Alliance Funding Application
The Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society has submitted an out-of-round application for funding
under the 2025–26 Community Grants Program, through the three-year Community Alliance
Agreements. The Community Grants Policy and Guidelines allow for late or out-of-round applications
where there are exceptional circumstances.

For the past 24 years, the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society (THHS) has operated the
Tewantin Visitor Information Centre known as Parkyn’s Hut Visitor Information Centre, with the
support of 56 volunteers. These volunteers share their local knowledge with both residents and
tourists, contributing to the region’s visitor experience. Open 361 days a year, the centre has been
recognised three times as Queensland’s Best Visitor Information Centre operated by volunteers,
reflecting its ongoing service and community contribution, including the most recent 2025 Visitor
Information Centre (VIC) of the Year Award.

In the 2023–24 financial year, the centre welcomed over 14,500 visitors, with local residents making
up the largest group (5,723), followed by interstate travellers (4,383), Queensland visitors (2,629),
and international tourists (1,769). Volunteers contributed more than 10,900 hours during this period,
highlighting the community’s commitment to the centre’s operations.

Beyond operating Parkyn’s Hut, the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society (THHS) also undertake
historical research and host community events, including the annual Pioneer’s Luncheon. The centre
has traditionally relied on member subscriptions, donations, and an annual contribution of
approximately $7,500 from Tourism Noosa to support its operations.

Tourism Noosa has recently advised THHS that they will no longer provide financial support from
the 2025–26 financial year onwards, apart from covering THHS's 2025 insurance. This decision
places THHS in a financially unsustainable position, given its limited alternative revenue streams
and rising operational expenses and would likely see the imminent closure of the Parkyn's Hut Visitor
Information Centre.

As this funding change was only confirmed after the Community Alliance Grants Program (2025–
2028) closed in March, THHS has submitted an out-of-round grant application seeking support to

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sustain its operations and continue contributing to both the local community and the visitor economy.

THHS currently faces an annual funding shortfall of $10,200, with operational expenses totalling
$13,000 and income of $2,800. To support the continued operation of Parkyn’s Hut Visitor
Information Centre, THHS is seeking a three-year Community Alliance Grant Agreement to assist
with essential operational costs.

In addition to this funding request, and to support long-term sustainability, Council has facilitated a
strategic planning process for THHS with Business Mentors Noosa. This process will review the
organisation’s current circumstances, reassess its strategic direction, identify future revenue and
grant opportunities, and support efforts to achieve ongoing financial sustainability.

Council officers assessed the application against the Community Alliance grant criteria as well as
undertaking a comparison to the applications endorsed in June 2025. The application scored highly
and THHS is therefore recommended to receive a three-year Community Alliance Funding
Agreement from 2025 to 2028.

Comparatively, Council already provides Community Alliance grant funding to two similar heritage
related organisations being:
   •   The Cooroora Historical Society (Noosa Museum)
   •   The Cooroy-Noosa Genealogical & Historical Research Group
These organisations received $6,727.18 each in funding for the 2025–26 financial year. Aligning
THHS’s funding with that of similar organisations ensures consistency, fairness, and transparency
in Council’s grant-making process. It is therefore the officers' recommendation that Tewantin
Heritage and Historical Society be awarded a Community Alliance grant of $6,727.18 for 2025-26
with future allocations indexed to CPI through to 2028.


Link to Corporate Plan
Theme No. 2. - Liveability
Liveability encompasses housing, facilities and services, transport, health and wellbeing to enable
an inclusive, connected and vibrant community.
Objective 2.3 - Nurture arts and culture to enrich the identity and vibrancy of communities, highlight
local talent, celebrate First Nations culture and encourage creative participation and expression.
Objective 2.5 - Ensure community facilities and services are inclusive, accessible and meet the
evolving needs and interests of residents across the shire.
Objective 2.6 - Facilitate strong, vibrant, inclusive communities where people have a sense of
belonging and are active participants in a rich community life.
Objective 2.7 - Fund and deliver sustainable assets and facilities and associated services
responding to the changing needs of the community and the challenges and opportunities of the
future.
Objective 2.8 - Provide opportunities to enhance the health, wellbeing and safety of our
communities.




Previous Council Consideration
Ordinary Meeting, 19 June 2025, Item 11.3.1
That Council:
A. Note the report by the Community Connection Manager to the General Committee Meeting dated
16 June 2025 outlining the summary of the 2025-26 Community Project Grants, Three-Year
Community Alliance Agreements and Three-Year Signature Community Event Grants; and
B. Fund the Quick Response Grants and Individual Sports Development Grants categories from the

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remaining 2025/26 Community Project Grants budget subject to sufficient funds being allocated in
Council’s adopted 2025/26 Community Grants Program budget.

Ordinary Meeting, 19 June 2025, Item 11.3.6
That Council:
A. Note the report by the Community Connection Manager to the General Committee Meeting dated
16 June 2025; and
B. Approve the 2025-26 Community Grants for Three-Year Community Alliance Agreements as
outlined in Attachment 1, subject to sufficient funds totalling $135,370.11 being allocated in Council’s
adopted 2025-26 Community Grants Program budget.

Ordinary Meeting, 23 January 2025, Item 11.1.8.3
That Council note the report by the Community Connection Manager to the General Committee on
the 20 January 2025 and approve the revised Community Grants Policy provided at Attachment 1 to
the report.


Finance
The 2025-26 budget includes a total allocation of $553,877.33 for community grants for the
categories of Community Project Grants, Community Alliance and Signature Community Events. Of
this, $111,743.67 remains available for the implementation of Council Community Quick Response
and Individual Sports Development Grants. If this recommendation is supported, this out of round
application will reduce this amount to $105,016.49.


Risk & Opportunities
Risks
•   Financial Sustainability: Without Council support, the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society
    (THHS) may be unable to continue operating Parkyn’s Hut Visitor Information Centre, due to the
    loss of Tourism Noosa funding and limited alternative revenue sources. This could result in the
    closure of this community asset and loss of volunteer engagement.
•   Community Impact: Closure of the centre would reduce access to local visitor information,
    diminish the visitor experience, and potentially impact local tourism and business. It would also
    mean the loss of a hub for historical research and community events.
•   Grant Budget Pressure: Approving this application will reduce the available balance for Quick
    Response and Individual Sports Development Grants in 2025–26, potentially limiting Council’s
    ability to respond to other emerging community needs during the year.
•   Reliance on Council Funding: Continued reliance on Council grants may not be sustainable in
    the long term if alternative revenue streams are not developed.
Opportunities
•   Community Benefit: Supporting THHS will help maintain a high-quality, volunteer-run visitor
    information service that benefits both residents and tourists, aligns with Council’s strategic
    objectives, and enhances Noosa’s reputation as a welcoming and informed destination.
•   Volunteer Engagement: Continued operation of Parkyn’s Hut provides meaningful volunteer
    opportunities, supporting social connection, skills development, and community pride.
•   Strategic Alignment: Funding this application supports Council’s Corporate Plan objectives
    around liveability, community connection, arts and culture, and inclusive access to community
    facilities.

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•       Capacity Building: THHS’s partnership with Business Mentors Noosa to review its strategic
        direction and identify new revenue opportunities demonstrates a proactive approach to long-term
        sustainability, reducing future reliance on Council funding.
•       Consistency and Fairness: Providing support at a level consistent with similar organisations (e.g.,
        Noosa Museum, Cooroy-Noosa Genealogical & Historical Research Group) ensures fairness
        and transparency in Council’s grant-making process.


Human Rights
Human Rights Compatibility Statement
In developing this Report, the subject matter has been considered in accordance with the
requirements of the Queensland Human Rights Act 2019. It is considered that the subject matter
does not conflict with any human rights and supports a human rights approach to decision making
by Council. Council representatives will endeavour to act and make decisions under this report in a
manner that is compatible with human rights. This report should be read in conjunction with Council’s
Human Rights Policy.


Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
Extensive consultation has occurred with the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society's Committee.
Internal Consultation
Departments consulted:
        Office of the CEO, Mayor &              Community Services               Corporate Services
                Councillors
    x     Mayor & Councillors             x   Director                        Director
    x     Chief Executive Officer         x   Community Connection        x   Financial Services
          Executive Officers                  Sport & Active Lifestyles       Fleet
          Community Engagement                Arts & Culture                  Revenue Services
          Governance                          Customer Experience             ICT
                                                                              Procurement

                                                                              People & Culture

         Strategy & Environment               Development & Regulation        Infrastructure Services
    x     Director                            Director                        Director
          Strategy & Sustainability           Development Assessment          Civil and Asset operations
          Economic Development        &       Local Laws                      Infrastructure Planning, Design
          Destination Management                                              and Delivery
          Environmental Services              Environmental Health            Waste
          Innovation & Digital Hub            Building & Plumbing             Building & Facilities
          Commercial Property                 Property / Permits              Disaster Management