Community & Business
20 November, 2021
Revamped BMX Park opens in Mareeba
A LOT of BMX fun awaits families at the newly-built Mareeba BMX Park adjacent to the fire station.
At an event on Saturday morning, the revamped park was officially opened by Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Angela Toppin, along with Mareeba Lions Club president Enrico Cabassi and Ratch-Australia Operations Manager Renewables Paul McDonald.
The project was funded with a $24,000 grant from the Mount Emerald Wind Farm Community Fund.
The fund has also announced the latest successful grant recipients which will help Atherton Tablelands community groups improve their infrastructure or educational programs that will benefit everyone across the region.
From Men’s sheds, Mareeba Hospital and local schools, there were 15 not-for-profit organisations that were successful in receiving a grant.
It was tough competition, with local groups applying for over $500,000 worth of grants so it was a difficult decision for the Advisory Committee that consists of distinguished local community members.
Committee Chairman Tom Braes OAM, from Mareeba, said the last two years had been a tough time for local community groups to fundraise due to the pandemic, so the fund was pleased to provide some much-needed support.
“With so many applications this year we tried to spread the $105,000 remaining in this round of funding to the projects that would benefit the most people with the greatest outcomes,” Mr Braes said.
“I wish we could have funded all of them so I would certainly encourage other groups who were unlucky this time to apply again.”
The fund, now in its third year, has backed 78 projects located within a 50km radius of the turbines so far, and will continue to offer more than $200,000 per year throughout the wind farm’s working life.
The full list of successful local grant recipients in this round of funding is Tolga State Primary School P&C; United Tablelands Pipe Band; Mareeba Swimming Club Inc; Walkamin Community & Sports Club Inc; Butchers Creek State School P&C Association; Atherton State Primary School; Mareeba Tennis Club Inc; Atherton Bowls Clubs Inc; Herberton CWA; Ravenshoe Tennis Club Inc; Walkamin State School P&C Association; Dimbulah Football Club Inc; Friends of Mareeba Hospital Foundation; Malanda Chamber of Commerce Inc; and Atherton Men's Shed Inc Association.
Applications are accepted all year round, with the deadline for the next round of funding on 31 January.
Guidance for applicants and application forms are available at www. mtemeraldwindfarm.com.au Applications and enquiries can be sent to communityfund@ratchaustralia.com
