East Gippsland Shire Council has awarded more than $108,000 in drought relief community facilities infrastructure grants to 22 community organisations.

Mayor, Cr Natalie O’ Connell, said council has awarded grants to support drought-affected communities by improving facilities to help build resilience for future environmental events and provide ongoing benefit to community.

“Projects receiving grants of up to $5000 each included public hall and community centres improvements, a rail trail shelter, water tanks, barbecues, shade sails and more,” Cr O’ Connell said.

“Many community halls require repairs and upgrades to continue to provide a communal space; they are a valuable community asset providing a place where residents can meet for social, educational and cultural activities.”

Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House will use its grant to install air conditioning and an exhaust fan to keep the ‘community free food’ storage room cooler.

“Reducing the heat in the room will mean the produce will keep for longer and will be fresher,” Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House chief executive officer, Leanne Jennings, said.

“The service is used by 100 residents per day and the Neighbourhood House assists more than 50 farmers per week,” Ms Jennings said.

The successful grants included:

• Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House community free food room fit-out ($4847);
• Bengworden Hall Committee Incorporated new roof ($5000);
• Bruthen Mechanics Hall Committee of Management hall makeover, carpets ($5000);
• Cabbage Tree Creek Community Hall Management Committee repair steps, supply stove ($4012);
• Cann River Community Centre furnishings, fittings and security upgrade ($5000);
• East Gippsland Rail Trail Committee of Management rail trail shelter at Newmerella ($5000);
• Ensay Mechanics Institute Reserve restoration of hall after white ant damage ($5000);
• Fernbank Public Hall kitchen cabinets upgrade ($5000);
• Gelantipy Public Hall Reserve Committee kitchen and water pump upgrade stage one ($5000);
• Genoa Hall Committee upgrade existing old chairs ($4950);
• Hillside Rosehill Reserve Association building a barbecue / fireplace ($5000);
• Howitt Park Women’s Tennis Club – install shade sail ($5000);
• Johnsonville Public Hall Committee – air-conditioning ($5000);
• Lake Tyers Beach Hall Committee kitchen renovation ($5000);

• Lindenow Memorial Hall Committee of Management resealing and minor maintenance of main hall floor ($5000);
• Omeo Soldiers Memorial Hall Committee of Management PA equipment and blinds to improve hall acoustics ($4640);
• Orbost Golf Club upgrade hot water system ($2000);
• Sarsfield Recreation Reserve Committee of Management – airconditioner and gas heater replacement ($5000);
• Swifts Creek Hall Committee heating and cooling improvements ($4500);
• Swifts Creek Recreational Reserve Committee of Management drought proofing project, purchase of additional water tank ($5000);
• Tambo Upper Primary School Tambo Upper Community Hall upgrade ($5000);
• Wairewa Hall and Recreation Reserve upgrade hall furniture and valuables storage ($5000).