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

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                          7 OCTOBER 2025


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