A plan to build a community kitchen to encourage healthy cooking and eating will go ahead in Nambour with the help of a Federal Government grant.
Coast2Bay Housing Group – the largest provider of community housing in the region – is one of six community groups in Nambour and the hinterland to receive an early Christmas present under the Stronger Communities Program.
Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien said 20 community groups across the 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 Coast2Bay Housing Group which is to receive $11,400,” Mr O’Brien said.
Coast2Bay Housing Group CEO Andrew Elvin said the community kitchen was an extension of the community garden program offered to its housing tenants.
“Specifically this will promote healthy eating and cooking classes to those in the community with complex housing and social support needs,” Mr Elvin said.
A number of other community groups have also benefitted with the Nambour and hinterland area alone receiving $50,400.
“The old Gheerulla Hall is continuing to improve with $3,000 committed to purchase new chairs and the Compass Institute has received $9,000 to help set up a coffee and food van to give on-the-job training to young people with disabilities,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The Sunshine Coast Children’s Therapy Centre will continue its life-changing work with $6,000 towards new therapy resources, the Country Women’s Association at Palmwoods receives $12,000 for building upgrades and the Baptist Union of Qld gets $9,000 towards the creation of an aboriginal activity centre at Mapleton.”
Mr O’Brien said the Stronger Communities grants – totalling $22.5 million across Australia – funded projects that encouraged participation and contributed to vibrant neighbourhoods.
“Nambour and the hinterland are very community oriented and there are so many motivated groups that might not have the budgets to undertake their own projects but for which the Federal Government has proudly contributed,” Mr O’Brien said.