City and bush receive $6.4m in community grants program

Across 2025/26 a total of $12.75 million was allocated through two rounds of ClubGrants Category 3, which re-invests profits from registered clubs' gaming machines to support local organsiations, community groups and charities.

This builds on the $12.6 million provided in the 2024/25 financial year for 83 projects.

This round of Infrastructure Grants were awarded to a wide range of much-needed projects across NSW in four categories - Arts and Culture; Community Infrastructure; Disaster Readiness; and Sport and Recreation.

Key projects supported include:

Arts and Culture

• $174,000 for Western Riverina Arts to fit out the Miil Miil Productions digital arts studio in Leeton for First Nations digital arts, Wiradjuri language and other arts and cultural services.
• $58,200 for the Gulgong Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society to upgrade fire safety for the historic Gulgong Opera House and install an LED screen to enable multi-purpose learning, meetings, conferences and film screenings.

Community Infrastructure

• $187,600 for Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation to renovate and install solar panels at the Mudyala Children and Youth Hub in Townsend near Maclean, improving community access to safe and inclusive programs.
• $118,600 for Freedom Solutions Australia, Northmead for a lift to provide access to workshop and therapy rooms for people with disabilities to trial life-changing, custom-made equipment.
• $192,300 for Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation to refurbish and fit-out the former Gunnedah Hospital Community Health Centre to provide health, social and mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Disaster Readiness

• $72,700 for the Wardell Community Organised Resilience Effort for a mobile emergency relief trailer to provide essential food, welfare and communication services during disasters.

Sports and Recreation

• $278,800 for Collector Memorial Hall to create a playground for toddlers.
  $80,000 for the Central Coast Hockey Association to upgrade its bathroom and change facilities to improve safety, inclusivity and accessibility.
• $175,000 for Dubbo Neighbourhood Centre for indoor and outdoor equipment for the newly formed Orana Gymnastics Academy.
• $300,000 for Snow Australia to construct safe, accessible skiing and snowboarding facilities for year-round participation for all abilities at the National Snowsports Training Centre in Jindabyne.
• $277,500 for Lismore City Bowling and Recreation Club to install a synthetic green to replace the grassed lawn that was destroyed in the 2022 Lismore floods.

For the complete list of Infrastructure Grants Program recipients, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/clubgrants-category-3-fund

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

"These grants support local communities to create or upgrade facilities that bring people together to strengthen relationships, increase health and wellbeing through participation in sport, recreation and the arts, and prepare and respond to natural disasters.

"This round includes projects from across the state that will benefit a wide range demographics including young people, culturally diverse communities, Aboriginal organisations and people seeking support with challenging circumstances.

"Along with projects that ensure volunteer organisations can respond quickly and effectively to emergencies or natural disasters, and provide essential support to impacted communities.

"I congratulate the organisations that have received funding in this round and wish them well as they undertake these worthy projects to benefit their communities."