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Double funding for community groups urged

THE State Government is being urged to double the funding of its Community Building Partnership program to help those struggling through the Covid pandemic.

State MPs Sophie Cotsis (Canterbury) and Jo Haylen (Summer Hill) say that this year’s program will leave many struggling organisations, sports clubs, community groups and councils short-changed in their time of need with the NSW Government committing to the same level of funding as previous years.
The Summer Hill electorate Community Building Partnership 2020 grant round received 46 applications requesting over $1.35 million, while Canterbury Electorate received 29 applications requesting $1.23 million.
Ms Haylen is calling for the NSW Government to have the “community’s back during this crisis”.
“2020 has showed us why it is so important to have a strong safety net and build resilience in our community,” she said.
“Community groups are crying out for more Government support, in my electorate community groups need more than triple the funding offered by the NSW Government in order to help local community groups who are struggling to keep up with the extra demand on their essential services.
“This Government needs to provide a lifeline for those community groups and sports clubs who have been hit hard by the lockdown and economic fallout of this pandemic and double the pool of grant money available now.”
Ms Cotsis said from football clubs to the soup kitchen, local groups make up the fabric of our communities – and they needed help.
“Locals are struggling and the community groups that support them deserve support from this Government,” she said.