Enable inclusive, connected, and healthy communities, through programs that improve safety, reduce isolation, and support wellbeing.
Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan
Grant officer
Victoria Lowe - lowe.victoria@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Grant amount
Minimum: $1,000 | Maximum: $7,500
Category eligibility requirements
Projects that do two or more of the following:
- Increase safety for vulnerable communities in areas of high crime.
- Increase access, equity, and participation for people living with disability.
- Celebrate our community’s rich social and cultural diversity.
- Positive ageing initiatives.
- Improve the mental health and wellbeing of people living in our community.
- Demonstrate evidence of in-kind support by the applicant.
Examples of eligible projects:
- Initiatives that increase social connection amongst older adults living within the LGA, particularly those who are socially isolated and/or experience barriers to social connection.
- Initiatives that promote personal and community safety.
- Installation of equipment to improve accessibility to the built environment for persons with disability, for example: rubber threshold ramps, grab rails, assistive technology.
Improve accessibility and activation of community facility assets, integrating sustainable design and urban cooling.
Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan
Grants officer
Josh Walsh - walsh.joshua@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Grant amount
Minimum: $1,000 | Maximum: $10,000
Category eligibility requirements
- Demonstrate a minimum level of 50% of financial and/or in-kind contribution of total project amount requested.
- Are located at Wagga Wagga City Council owned facilities, or facilities on Wagga Wagga City Council owned land in the Local Government Area.
- Enhance existing community infrastructure.
- Designs to consider shade, canopy, sustainable materials, and safety.
Category Priorities
- Increase the activation of community infrastructure
- Improve accessibility and connection
- Improve existing assets to maximise utilisation
- Improve community health
- Demonstrate collaboration with other community organisations
Examples of eligible projects
- Upgrading existing community facilities, e.g. upgrading amenities, lighting improvements and storage.
- Improvement or installation of sport-specific facilities, e.g. installation of cricket nets.
- Funds toward sporting or recreational groups to construct, for example, a storage shed, shade structure, or install a mobility access ramp.
- Shade structures/trees, accessible paths/ramps, lighting upgrades for safety, multi‑use sport hubs.
Activate community spaces in villages and neighbourhoods to foster connection and cultural pride.
Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan
Grant officer
Victoria Lowe - lowe.victoria@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Grant amount
Minimum: $1,000 | Maximum: $7,500
Category eligibility requirements:
Projects that do two or more of the following:
- Increase community connection in neighbourhoods and rural villages at community centres, halls, and public spaces.
- Increase community pride in local Wiradyuri and First Nations culture and heritage.
- Provide opportunities for connection through recreational activity, arts, and leisure in community centres, halls, and public spaces.
- Demonstrate evidence of in-kind support by the applicant.
Note: Applicants are encouraged to provide letters of support from the communities/villages your program or project will benefit.
Examples of eligible projects:
- Activation of rural halls, parks, and community centres with a project or program that brings the community together, for example, Outdoor movie/music nights, First Nations cultural programs, Free or low-cost health & wellbeing classes.
Upgrade rural halls for multi-use, safety, and accessible community use.
Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan
Grant officers
Luke Fitzgerald - fitzgerald.luke@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Grant amount
Minimum: $500 | Maximum: $10,000
List of Halls that are eligible to apply:
Book Book Hall, Brookdale Hall, Brucedale Hall, Burrandana Hall, Collingullie Soldiers Memorial Hall, Currawarna Community Centre Hall, Downside Hall, Euberta Hall, Galore Hall, Humula Memorial Hall, Humula Citizens Sports Club, Ladysmith Memorial Hall, Mangain Hall Community Centre, Mangoplah Hall, Oberne Creek Hall, Oura Hall, Tarcutta CWA Hall, Tarcutta Soldiers Memorial Hall, Uranquinty Neighbourhood Centre, Uranquinty Community Hall.
Category eligibility requirements
Projects that:
- Enhance the use and access to existing community infrastructure.
- Demonstrate a multi-use or shared capability across two or more user groups.
- Can commence within six months of the grants being made available, and completed within twelve months of notification.
- Offer a contribution from the applicant, which may be cash or in-kind support.
Examples of eligible projects
- Mobility access upgrades, efficient heating/cooling, improved lighting and public toilet amenities, Kitchen and storage improvements for multi-use benefits.
Please note:
Projects should be accurately costed with current quotes, and be accompanied by relevant plans, approvals, and risk assessments for all works involved.
Examples of items not eligible for funding include:
- Purchase of appliances and items that are not a fixture in the building,
- Ongoing maintenance.
- Facilities for one-off events.
Note: For more information regarding risk management requirements for your project in this category, contact Luke Fitzgerald on 1300 292 442.
Support projects that activate creative spaces, showcase diverse arts & cultural experiences, and build a strong sense of identity and pride, ensuring inclusion Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan.
Projects should also align with Council’s Cultural Plan 2020-2030, which is a blueprint for a creative city that puts arts and culture at the heart of a thriving, innovative, connected, and inclusive community. The Cultural Plan 2020-2030 priorities include:
- Wiradyuri and First Nations community
- Live music, events, and public spaces
- A vibrant city centre
- Neighbourhoods, suburbs, and villages
- Cultural experiences for everyone
- Creative Industries and educational opportunities
Grants officer
Lauren Reynolds - reynolds.lauren@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Grant amount
Minimum: $500 | Maximum: $7,500
Category eligibility requirements
The Arts, Culture & Creative Industries category aims to provide support to artists, cultural organisations, and creative industries to develop and deliver a diverse range of arts and creative projects and programs across the Local Government Area.
Additional support materials are required
- Applicants must attach, where relevant, examples of previous work: e.g. images or video of artworks or previous arts/cultural projects or workshops; links to website demonstrating previous works; resumes of visiting artists.
- Projects must demonstrate a cash or in-kind contribution.
Examples of eligible projects
- Skill development workshops, e.g. visiting artists, and free or low-cost public workshops.
- Development of new artworks, exhibitions, and/or live performances that have public outcomes.
- Projects that create opportunities for artists and creative workers e.g. live music program.
- Projects that enhance the sustainability of creative industries (for example film, TV production, animation, photography, design) and that grow, connect, and increase the profile of Wagga Wagga’s arts and creative community.
Encourage conservation, adaptive reuse, and interpretation that strengthens local identity and heritage streetscapes.
Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan
Grants officers
Grant amount
Minimum: $500 | Maximum: $7,500
As a minimum, applicants must contribute at least 50% cash contribution of total project costs.
Category eligibility requirements
As a guide, Local Heritage grant funded projects may include (but are not limited to):
- Conservation works and maintenance works projects.
- Adaptive reuse projects.
- Interpretation projects.
Priority funding for 2026/2027 will be for: Conservation of original building fabric.
Examples of eligible projects
- Repair of original brickwork or stonework, including repointing with appropriate mortar.
- Conservation of original timber elements such as windows, external doors, or verandah posts.
- Stabilisation of original walls, chimneys, or structural elements.
- Works to protect original fabric from further deterioration.
- Repair to the façade of a heritage item.
Generally funding will not be provided for:
- New buildings, extensions, reconstruction or modern upgrades unrelated to heritage significance.
- Routine maintenance.
- Purchase of heritage buildings.
- Relocation of buildings, or work on relocated buildings.
Please note:
- Applicants must contribute a minimum of 50% cash contribution of total project amount requested.
- All projects must be discussed with the Grants Officers for this category before making a submission.
- ‘Before’ photos must be provided, and if the works require repainting, colour swatches must be included in your application.
- Projects requesting retrospective funding for monies that have already been spent or works completed will not be considered for funding.
- More information on Council’s commitment to heritage, along with development and maintenance guidelines and the Schedule of Locally Listed Heritage Items in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area, can be found at via the Building and Development section of the website.
Support new or growing events that activate spaces, foster inclusion, and strengthen the visitor economy.
Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan
Grants officers
Cassandra Writer – writer.cassandra@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Grant amount
Minimum: $500 | Maximum: $7,500
Category eligibility requirements
Funds must be used to establish a new event, or grow an existing event, held within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area between 1 September 2026 and 31 August 2027.
Priority will be given to events that:
- Are held in suburban neighbourhoods or rural villages within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.
- Support innovation and new offerings.
- Support local businesses through the purchase of supplies and services for the event.
- Gain positive citywide promotion for the event and the city.
- Demonstrate evidence and commitment to reduce waste at the event.
- Include multiple organisations working together to deliver the event.
- Activation of the Central Business District.
Examples of an eligible project:
An organisation seeks $2,000 to promote their new event through:
- $400 on graphic design.
- $1,000 to cover the cost of a keynote speaker or music performer.
- $500 on equipment hire.
- $100 on targeted Facebook advertising
Please note:
- Funding will not be granted towards the purchase of major capital items or the payment of Council bonds for venue use.
- Where events have been funded for three consecutive years, events that demonstrate well-defined objectives, growth strategies, and broad appeal, can apply for a further three consecutive years of funding.
- Council must be acknowledged for their support through inclusion of Council’s logo on printed and digital material, as well as acknowledging Council’s contribution at public launches and in media releases.
- Applicants must declare any fundraising occurring as a result of the event taking place. Applicants will need to declare the beneficiaries of the funds, what the funds will be put toward, and the estimated dollar amount.
Deliver projects that protect biodiversity, advance climate action, promote circular economy, and increase urban cooling.
Please refer to objectives identified in the Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan, Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanna 2020-2030, Urban Cooling Strategy 2022-2052, and Wagga Wagga Community Net Zero Emissions 2050 Roadmap.
Grants officer
Catherine Conroy conroy.catherine@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Grant amount
Minimum: $500 | Maximum: $5,000
Category eligibility requirements
- Projects cannot occur on private land.
- Projects cannot fund activities that are the primary responsibility of another organisation, State, or Federal agency.
- Projects cannot be part of a fundraising event or a devolved grant program.
Preference will be given to projects that:
- Clearly demonstrate how they will have a positive impact on the environmental issue they are addressing.
- Engage the community in on-ground environmental initiatives.
- Demonstrate a matching cash or in-kind contribution by the applicant.
- Have low ongoing-maintenance requirements.
Examples of eligible projects
- Projects that help the community reduce energy use or carbon emissions.
- Projects that create or improve habitat for local wildlife through weed removal, and/or revegetation works.
- Projects that create awareness and action on local environment issues and urban cooling strategy actions.
- Projects that conserve water, reuse and/or improve water quality.
- Projects to clean up litter or dumped rubbish within local reserves.
- Shade tree planting & micro‑forests in reserves; measurable canopy increase.
- Community repair cafés, product‑as‑service pilots, organics diversion education
Empower young people (12–24) to design and deliver recreational projects that foster inclusion, awareness and wellbeing.
Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan
Grants officer
Melissa Fattore - fattore.melissa@wagga,nsw,gov.au
Grant amount
Minimum: $500 | Maximum: $7,500
Category eligibility requirements
- Youth is defined as a person 12-24 years of age.
- Project must demonstrate evidence of youth involvement from concept to delivery with key roles of involvement throughout the project.
- The project has collaborative support from a non-profit organisation/community group.
Category Priorities: projects that do two or more of the following:
- Increase access, equity, and participation for priority groups, including but not limited to young people living with a disability, LGBTQIA+ youth, First Nations, and culturally and linguistically diverse young people.
- Improve the mental health, wellbeing and social connection of young people living in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.
- Demonstrate evidence of either cash or in-kind support by the applicant.
Examples of eligible projects:
- New events featuring live music, art, dance or performance events created by young people, or featuring young people.
- Out of school hours activities or events for young people in, halls, community centres or in parks or open spaces, in suburbs and rural village locations within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.
- Projects that encourage and support young people from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to those with lived experience with disability, First Nations, and LGBTQI+, to get involved and be positively represented in their local community.
- Creating an opportunity for young people to participate in upskilling opportunities or leadership experiences.
- Responding to identified gaps in services to support young people living in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.
Wagga Wagga 2050 – Community Strategic Plan
Grants officer
Sue Hanrahan - hanrahan.sue@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Grant amount
Minimum: $1,000 | Maximum: $7,500
Category eligibility requirements
Projects that:
- Demonstrate a minimum level of 50% cash and/or in-kind contribution of total project amount requested.
- Are located in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.
- Projects demonstrating innovation, digital adoption (e.g., e-commerce/automation), or workforce participation improvements
Category Priorities
- Expansion of business.
- Improved customer experience.
- Implementation of an innovative project to enhance productivity and customer service.
Examples of eligible projects
- Purchasing new equipment to expand production capabilities.
- Adaptation of the business or implementing a new customer service tool.
- Expansion of facility, or improved shopfront, footpath dining, or product display feature.
- Implementation of innovative idea/process in new or existing business
- Technology upgrades, process innovation, or sustainability improvements reducing waste/energy.