Muddy paws will no longer be a problem at dog obedience classes with a new concrete floor for Buderim’s busy training facility.
The Sunshine Coast Dog Obedience Club is one of four Buderim community groups receiving an early Christmas present from the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program.
Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said 20 community groups across his electorate were sharing $150,000 in grants to improve or install facilities and buy much needed equipment.
“It was great to meet with members of the Sunshine Coast Dog Obedience Club which is to receive $3,600,” Mr O’Brien said.
Club president Tracy Flint said the grant would help pay for a much needed concrete floor.
“It’ll make an enormous difference in bad weather because the whole undercover area was dirt,” Ms Flint said.
“We use that area for classes and special trials and competitions but when it rains the dirt turns to mud.”
Ms Flint said there was increasing demand for dog obedience classes – from beginner through to advanced – as more people adopted rescue pets and councils cracked down on canine public behaviour.
A number of other community groups have also benefitted with the Buderim area alone receiving $21,365.
“The Buderim Horse and Pony Club is needing fencing upgrades and the federal grant of $4,925 will help with the cost,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Fusion Australia will receive $3,840 towards a soft-fall rubber playground and the Maroochydore Eagles Basketball Association, which has a stadium in Buderim, gets $9,000 towards air conditioning installation.”
Mr O’Brien said the Stronger Communities grants – totalling $22.5 million across Australia – funded projects that encouraged participation and contributed to vibrant neighbourhoods.
“The Buderim region is very community oriented and there are so many motivated groups and clubs that might not have the budgets to undertake their own projects but for which the Federal Government has proudly contributed,” Mr O’Brien said.