Why Gladstone industries invested $250K to help region’s sectors

Mayor Matt Burnett has labelled a new fund designed to support the region’s social, tourism and economic sectors as something that could ‘make a real difference’ for residents.

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett, Rohan Richardson (Santos GLNG), Marilyn Steel (Shell QGC), Deb Gillespie (Here For Gladstone - Rio Tinto) and Robert Gibb (ConocoPhillips) launching the Together Gladstone initiative.

Mayor Matt Burnett has labelled a new fund designed to support the region’s social, tourism and economic sectors as something that could ‘make a real difference’ for residents.

Boyne Smelters Limited, ConocoPhillips, Queensland Alumina, Rio Tinto Yarwun, Santos GLNG, Shell’s QGC Business and other local industries joined Gladstone Regional Council on Monday to launch the Together Gladstone initiative.

The fund will support the region’s social, tourism and economic sectors through targeted investment decisions from now until December 31 2021.

Gladstone region Mayor Matt Burnett said the initiative had potential to make a real difference in the lives of the region’s residents.

“The theme of council’s budget handed down on June 15 was Collective Delivery and I am pleased to launch Together Gladstone, collectively, with our valued industry partners,” Mr Burnett said.

Mr Burnett said industries had contributed more than $250,000 to invest in the fund.

“Council applied a rates freeze in our 2020/21 Budget to all ratepayers except major industries, and through their rating contributions they have played a substantial role in supporting the region‘s continued recovery,” he said.

There will be various funding streams available, falling under the categories of Community, Tourism and Economic, with several recipient projects already identified.

Local not for profit groups will be able to apply for grants of between $5000 and $10,000 to deliver initiatives in the areas of Health and Wellbeing, Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Youth, and Education.

The Together Gladstone Community Grants will open for applications on August 1 via https://gladstone.smartygrants.com.au/TogetherGlad.