AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

27 August 2007

Accommodation funding for community groups in Auckland city

Auckland City Council is inviting applications from community groups across Auckland for the community group accommodation support fund from next Monday, 3 September.

The fund aims to provide community groups with financial assistance for accommodation costs for the year from January to December 2008. Costs supported by the fund include rent, rates, regular venue hire, leases, and for sporting groups’ regular hire of sports fields.

Councillor Cathy Casey, chairperson of the Community Development and Equity Committee, says the fund is one of the many ways in which the council recognises the major contribution community groups make in the development of stronger communities.

“Community groups provide strong social and support networks and a sense of belonging to many Aucklanders,” she says.

“Thanks to the diverse range of community groups we have in our city, there’s always something happening that appeals to people from a variety of backgrounds, lifestyles, abilities, cultures or ethnicities.

“We want to support community groups who contribute to building and maintaining Auckland’s strong, vibrant and diverse communities,” says Dr Casey.

Auckland City Council provided $1.7 million in accommodation support funding to more than 350 community groups throughout Auckland city last year.

Recipients of last year’s funding included the Asia New Zealand Film Foundation Board ($2340), the Auckland Adult Literacy Scheme Inc ($4200), City of Sails Pipe Band Inc ($1200), German Speaking Playgroup ($630) and the New Zealand Comedy Trust ($9500).

For more information on the community group accommodation support fund including guidelines and the application process, community group members are encouraged to attend one of Auckland City Council’s free public information sessions (listed below), visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/grantsandfunding or phone 379 2020

Ends

Notes to the editor:

Free information session details:
Wednesday, 12 September at 12.30pm
Fickling Convention Centre, 546 Mt Albert Road
Three Kings (a sign language interpreter available at this seminar)

Monday, 17 September at 4.30pm
Blockhouse Bay Community Centre, 524 Blockhouse Bay Road
Blockhouse Bay

Wednesday, 19 September at 6pm
Freemans Bay Community Hall, 52 Hepburn Street
Freemans Bay

Thursday, 20 September at 1230pm
Onehunga Community Centre, 83 Church Street
Onehunga

Monday, 24 September at 5.30pm
Glen Innes Community Hall, 96 Line Road
Glen Innes

Wednesday, 26 September at 530pm
Orakei Community Centre, 156 Kepa Road
Orakei

ENDS

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