Stream 3: Local Community solutions

About this grant stream

Local Community Solutions supports place-based local priorities identified by TSRA Communities. This stream is intended to ensure every TSRA Community has access to Healthy Communities support, including communities where priorities may sit outside formal sport or where local groups may need support to plan and deliver activities.

TSRA Community means communities across the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) communities of Bamaga and Seisia.

This stream is not delivered through a fixed open grant round. Instead, each TSRA Community has a dedicated annual allocation, and GBK will work with communities to identify, document and support local priorities based on demonstrated need, available community allocation, community benefit and alignment with the Healthy Communities Program objectives.

Local groups, organisations, community members, and stakeholders may contact GBK at any time to discuss local priorities or project ideas. Where GBK considers the proposed activity may be suitable, GBK may invite the relevant group or organisation to complete a short application, request form or project record so the proposal can be properly assessed and documented.

GBK may also identify Local Community Solutions opportunities through local consultation, community engagement, project monitoring, reporting or discussions with local stakeholders. Where a need is identified and the proposed activity is considered beneficial, and supported by the community, GBK may directly arrange, procure or fund appropriate activities, goods, services or local delivery arrangements.

Key objectives

The key objectives of Local Community Solutions are to:

  • Ensure every TSRA Community has access to Healthy Communities support

  • Respond to locally identified health, wellbeing, participation and community priorities

  • Support sustainable, practical place-based projects that reflect local needs, strengths and aspirations

  • Strengthen local leadership, decision-making, collaboration and community involvement

  • Support communities where organisation capacity may be limited

  • Encourage local partnerships and coordinated use of community resources

  • Build readiness for future funding, local delivery or service delivery opportunities

  • Contribute to improving health outcomes for the region over time.

Community allocation

The total annual allocation for Local Community Solutions is $460,000.

Each TSRA Community has a dedicated annual allocation. Local Community Solutions funding must be expended locally within the relevant community and should provide direct benefit to that community.

If a community allocation is not fully expended, GBK may, subject to TSRA agreement and available funding, roll unallocated funds into the next year’s allocation for that community. Funds cannot be transferred between communities unless expressly approved by TSRA and GBK.

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Eligibility

Eligibility requirements can be found on the Grant Guidelines page here.

Funding may be used for reasonable and necessary costs directly related to the approved activity. Here are some examples of what funding may be used for:

  • Locally identified priorities
    Projects or activities identified through local consultation, community action planning or documented community support

  • Community-led activities
    Local activities that improve health, wellbeing, participation, connection, cultural strength or community involvement

  • Local partnership activities
    Activities delivered with local organisations, councils, schools, PBCs, sporting clubs, health providers or other stakeholders

  • Participation initiatives
    Practical activities that help local people get involved in healthy, active or connected community life

  • Equipment and materials
    Equipment, materials or resources needed to deliver the approved local activity

  • Facilitator or provider costs
    Reasonable costs for trainers, facilitators, specialists, instructors or providers needed to deliver the approved activity

  • Venue, travel and freight
    Venue hire, local travel, freight or transport costs directly related to the approved activity

  • Catering
    Reasonable catering directly related to the activity and within approved limits

  • Auspicing fees
    Reasonable auspicing fees where an eligible organisation auspices the activity

Funding cannot be used for the following:

  • Retrospective costs -costs incurred before written approval or before the funding agreement is signed

  • Activities outside TSRA Communities - travel to outside-region carnivals, competitions or events

  • Private or commercial benefit- activities for private gain, commercial profit or personal business benefit

  • Debt or loans - repayment of debts, loans, fines or existing liabilities

  • Land or vehicles - purchase of land or vehicles, unless specifically approved as exceptional and essential

  • Ongoing operating costs - ongoing rent, utilities, insurance, administration or general operating expenses not directly tied to the activity

  • Ongoing wages - permanent wages or ongoing employment costs, unless specifically approved

  • Alcohol, tobacco or gambling - any activity associated with, or promoting, alcohol, tobacco or gambling products

  • Excessive catering - catering that is unreasonable or not directly connected to the activity

  • Prizes and personal benefits - prize money, cash payments, gift cards, personal gifts or personal benefits, unless specifically approved

  • Duplication - activities that duplicate existing funded services or programs

  • Government responsibility - activities that are the primary responsibility of another government agency

  • Unclear community benefit - projects that do not provide clear and direct benefit to TSRA Communities

How to Discuss an Idea with GBK

Local groups, organisations, community members or stakeholders can contact the GBK Healthy Communities Team at any time to discuss a local priority or project idea.

Where GBK considers the idea may be suitable for Local Community Solutions support, GBK may provide a short application, request form or project record.

Any discussion, feedback or support provided by GBK is intended to help applicants understand the Program and application requirements only. It does not constitute endorsement of the proposed activity, does not guarantee funding, and will not give the application preferential treatment during assessment.

For more information, please refer to our Program Guidelines and the factsheet for this stream.

Program Guidelines
Factsheet - Stream 3: Local Community Solutions