Site Updated : 04/07/08
NEXT APPLICATIONS DUE 15 JULY 2008
General Information about the Fund
Background
The Reef Hotel Casino Community Benefit Fund (the Fund) was established under the provisions of section 52 of the Casino Control Act, 1982. The Fund is charged with the responsibility of recommending to the Queensland Treasurer as to the application of monies derived from the community benefit levy, paid by The Reef Casino in Cairns, for the benefit of the community.
The Fund operates under a Trust Deed drawn up by the Queensland Government. Trustees are appointed under the terms of the Trust Deed for a period of 3 years and may be re-appointed at the expiration of their 3 year term.
The Board of Trustees
In accordance with the Trust Deed the Board of Trustees consists of:
· Four representatives of the local community, appointed by the Queensland Government;
· Two appointments made by the Cairns Casino Licensee; and
· The Executive Director of the Office of Gaming Regulation, or the Executive Director's nominee.
The current Trustees are:
Peter Martinuzzi – Chairman (QLD Government appointee)
Patricia Bailey (QLD Government appointee)
Allison Geisel (QLD Government appointee)
Vivian Robertson (QLD Government appointee)
Alison Galligan (Casino Licensee nominee)
Hon Keith De Lacy (Casino Licensee nominee)
David Ford (Deputy Under Treasurer )
Secretariat
The Secretariat provides advice and administrative support to the Trustees. This support includes assessment of the applications, financial administration, promotion of the Fund and other general administrative and reporting requirements.
Contact Details for the Secretariat are:
Applications to be sent to:
PO Box 6695
Cairns Qld 4870
Enquiries about the Fund:
Janet Davison
0412 514 780
Email: reefcbf@bigpond.com
Aim of the Fund
The aim of the Fund is to call for applications and make recommendations to the Queensland Treasurer concerning the disbursement of the available Funds in a fair and equitable manner to non-profit organisations, which provide facilities or services to the community at large and comply with the Eligibility Criteria of the Fund.
Funding Rounds
Applications are called for twice per year. The closing dates for receipt of applications are 15 July and 15 December, or the nearest working day. However extensions to these dates may be made, such information would be available on this site. Grants are made to the successful applicants approximately 5 to 6 months after the closing date of each round.
Eligibility - Organisations
To be eligible to apply for a grant an organisation must be a non-profit community organisation, incorporated and within the jurisdiction of the Fund. The jurisdiction is defined as covering the area from Cardwell and North, including the Torres Strait and Thursday Island.
Organisations must demonstrate that they have the capacity to properly keep accounting records for reporting purposes and that they are capable of managing a grant and the required administration of that grant.
Individuals and government or semi-government organisations, such as hospitals and schools, are ineligible for funding. However, support groups for government bodies, such as a hospital auxiliary, are eligible. Organisations who require the funding to start-up their activities are not ineligible.
Parents & Citizens / Parents & Friends Committees are currently ineligible. We recommend these groups apply to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (refer related sites for contact details).
Eligibility - Projects
Applications must be restricted to projects for capital expenditure or fixed assets.
Grants are not made for expense items such as salaries, consultant's fees, airfares or hiring of equipment. The project must be discrete, in that funding is not for a project that will be dependent upon further grants from the Fund.
The average amount granted to date for a project is $4,500. Of course amounts for projects do range an example of this being grants awarded in June 2008 ranged from as little as $1,930 to $11,368. It is recommended that organisations review grants previously made by this Fund (this information can be found at this site) to gain an understanding of the types of projects funded and the amounts generally awarded to organisations.
The project must have a high level of community involvement and must benefit the community at large.
Applicants which clearly demonstrate that their organisation is highly committed to the project for which they are seeking funding, including details on other funds raised, amount of voluntary labour involved and the level of in-kind contributions, are often given preference (provided all other criteria are met).
The project must satisfy the requirements of any relevant Municipal, State or Commonwealth laws and regulations.
Applications for suitable projects on land owned by someone other than the applicant organisation are eligible. Copies of the lease or other relevant documentation should accompany the application form. Where necessary the Landowner’s consent must also accompany the application form.
Examples of projects funded to date include:
· Office equipment
· Children’s outdoor play equipment and shade covers
· Refurbishment of buildings
· Playing field upgrades
· Air conditioning
· Ride on mowers
· Rainwater tanks
· Upgrade electricity supplies
· Inflatable rescue boats
Projects that are ineligible are those where the asset will become an asset of the Crown and those which will result in personal income being generated for members of the organisation.
