The successful applicants range from Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre, Hastings Valley Minature Railway, Bonny Hills Progress Association and the Northside Progress Association.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council allocated $16,125 in the community builders category, $18,150 in community celebrations, $3,000 in cultural activities, $1,950 in the youth grant category, $1,000 for micro grants and $9,521 in the NSW Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund (NSW Resilience) category.

The grand funding totalled $49,746:

Mayor Peta Pinson said the Community Grants Program provides a boost to many local organisations.

"This funding is an investment, not a cost," she said.

"I've seen what this grant funding does and the joy it brings to people involved in all of these organisations."

Councillor Rob Turner agreed and said the variety of organisations receiving the grant funding highlighted the diverse projects in the community.

"These are worthwhile projects that council is funding on behalf of community groups through the Community Grants Program. I think the wide range and comprehensive list of community groups shows the fantastic projects are being done in our community," he said.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann also added an amendment to the original motion to note the importance of the work of early conservation volunteers in Port Macquarie and their success in protecting many local coastal features as well as the upcoming 50^th anniversary of the commencement of the Save Windmill Hill campaign.

"There has been a lot of discussion with council staff since January 2020 in terms of supporting this and there was a suggestion at one time that this be a subject of a community grant application, however because it's an event of general community importance and not supported by one organisation it came to pass that it didn't fit the criteria," Cr Intemann said.

"But because the anniversary is approaching, I am putting up these two clauses to ensure that this is not lost and council does contribute to the anniversary."

The amendment also included council to request the chief executive officer to utilise best endeavours for council's promotion of the upcoming anniversary and the installation of a suitable interpretive sign in time for the occasion in late November 2021.

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