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

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                        7 OCTOBER 2025


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