The Lake Mac Community Environment Grants Program is designed to support community-initiated projects that improve our local environment and/or inspire environmentally sustainable behaviour in Lake Macquarie City.

Not-for-profit organisations, community groups, social enterprises, sole traders, or other entities that demonstrate a clear community benefit and alignment with Council's environmental strategies are invited to apply for Council's Community Environment Grants.

Grants of up to $5000 per application are available for projects located in Lake Macquarie City. The number of grant applications funded per round is limited. These grants are offered twice a year.

Sustainability is about more than veggie gardens, rainwater tanks and compost bins. Think broadly about what your group could do to:

• encourage sustainable community behaviour, like reducing resource consumption or increasing participation in active transport
• reduce food or general waste, or encourage the community to recycle, upcycle or swap
• educate, enrich and inspire the community through sustainable activities
• reduce the carbon footprint of the Lake Macquarie community
• improve biodiversity and local ecosystems
• environmental education and training workshops (including engaging expert presenter(s) to run a workshop)

Not-for-profit organisations, community groups, social enterprises, sole traders, or other entities that demonstrate a clear community benefit and alignment with Council's environmental strategies can apply.

• Grants are only available to incorporated bodies. If your group is not incorporated, you must arrange for an incorporated organisation to sponsor your group. This means they accept and administer funding on your behalf. The sponsoring body is responsible for financial expenditure, project progress, and reporting. The sponsor may charge an administration fee.
• Projects must be located in Lake Macquarie City and completed within 12 months from receipt of grant funds.
• Applicants that meet the eligibility criteria.
• Note: State and Commonwealth agencies are not eligible for funding.

Funding will not be provided for the following:

• activities that are considered the core business of Commonwealth, State or Local government;
• ongoing operational or administrative costs of an organisation. This includes purchase of capital equipment, for example, solar panels;
• projects that have commenced or already taken place; projects that include modifications to leased buildings or land where written approval from the property owner has not been provided;
• projects where half or more of grant funds pay for labour (except to engage expert presenters);
• beautification projects without an environmental outcome;
• individual projects that include planned tree removal; and
• gifts and prizes.

• Phone: 4921 0283
• Email: mbrown@lakemac.nsw.gov.au