TASMANIA’S port-management company TasPorts has launched its inaugural community grants program. The initiative offers one-off grants of up to $5000 to support local projects and events that benefit local communities in the vicinity of commercial and community ports in the state.
TasPorts group executive Kate Dean said the organisation has a long and proud history of supporting community events and initiatives across Tasmania.
“Our organisation is proud to play a major role in contributing to the Tasmanian economy, and each year TasPorts supports a number of initiatives and events that benefit the communities located near our port operations,” she said.
“TasPorts recognises the importance of establishing and maintaining strong, effective links with communities and industries and we’re proud to launch the program as another step in strengthening these relationships.”
Ms Dean said the community grant program was open to eligible organisations and groups that focus on adding value to our island state and support our key focus areas.
“Applicants will need to demonstrate their initiative’s link to one of four key focus areas of community engagement in port regions, marine safety, maritime heritage, as well as marine and coastal environmental protection,” she said.
“Commencing in February 2022, grants will be available on a quarterly basis and provide $100,000 in annual funding to community organisations and events.”
Applications for the first round of 2022 will open on 1 February 2022 and close on 1 March 2022.
Other port entities around Australia run similar programs.
NSW Ports runs an initiative that helps support communities local to its operations around Sydney and in Port Kembla.
Port of Brisbane also runs a similar program for its local communities.
