Bikers to descend on Sarina thanks to grant

Sarina BMX Club received $10,000 towards hosting the 2019 Queensland State Championships, an event expected to attract more than 1500 riders.

The event also attracted funding from council’s Invest Mackay Events Attraction Program, which helped to secure the Championships for our region during negotiations last year.

The Community Grant will assist the club with track maintenance, set-up costs and equipment hire for the event.

Community Grants Committee deputy chair Cr Karen May said hosting the 2019 BMX State Championships in September was a big win for Sarina and the region.

“Council is thrilled to be able to assist with a grant towards setting up for the event,” Cr May said.

“This event will bring many hundreds of riders and their families to the region and will provide a great flow-on economic injection for Sarina businesses,” she said.

Hibiscus Coast Progress and Sports Association also received $8000 towards three lights at the recently revamped Seaforth BMX Track.

Cr May said council had completed considerable works at the community BMX track in Seaforth recently to improve safety.

“A lighting upgrade will be the icing on the cake for this revamped track and will help to make it a fantastic regional asset,” she said.

The grants were part of $88,029 awarded in Community Grants to 21 community organisations at today’s ordinary meeting of council.

Another event to receive $10,000 was the Whale Splash Festival

(#SplashFest), which is scheduled for Sunday, August 18, at Lamberts Beach and foreshore.

This original festival will highlight local natural assets, culture and art and will be a great day out for families.

Cr May said council was also happy to be able to offer $3000 grants to three local Rugby League clubs to engaging a well-known sporting consultant.

“The consultant will be holding fully interactive workshops to guide local clubs through the process of developing a plan for their futures,” she said.

“In the past, many Leagues clubs were split up with their seniors, juniors and veterans acting as individual entities.

“With a push coming for clubs to restructure as more united organisations, this is an excellent opportunity for local clubs to get expert consultation on this process.”

The following grants were also awarded to local not-for-profits:

• Marian Ladies Bowls Club for a photocopier - $1125
• Sarina Saints Football Club to help host a women’s soccer carnival - $5000
• Volunteer Marine Rescue Mackay for closing in their training room - $4615
• Eungella Community Development Association for new 100 chairs for the hall - $5000
• Mackay Sailing Club for shipping containers and fencing - $10,000
• Bucasia Kindergarten for replacement play area fencing - $5000
• Pioneer Community Kindergarten for a tree removal - $1000
• Run For MI Life to help with bringing in a keynote speaker - $1000
• Mackay West Rotary Club for a Mackay Swap Meet event - $1500
• Starlet Royales Baton Twirlers for LED Lumina batons for public performances - $1000
• Kookaburra Child Care Centre for air-conditioning -$5000
• Soroptimist International of Mackay for online video conferencing equipment - $1650
• Sarina & District Netball Association for a laptop $877.60
• Pioneer Valley Agricultural Show Society for five aluminium picnic tables - $3262
• Mackay 8-Ball Association for CQ Zone Trials and City v Country Tournament - $5000