Applications are now open for a community grant of up to $10,000 for local projects that will help increase the recycling of beverage containers.

The Keep Australia Beautiful grants, funded by Coca-Cola, are open to all communities across Australia with grants of up to $10,000 per applicant available for projects that will result in a measurable increase in beverage container recycling in local communities.

Applications are open to community groups, local associations, small to medium enterprises and local councils and will be awarded to:

– projects which address the specific issue of beverage container recycling and it’s by-products;

– practical local solutions that can be used as examples for others and leave a legacy;

– projects that do not duplicate existing recycling activities; and

– projects that result in measurable volumes of recycled materials.

According to Peter McLean, Keep Australia Beautiful National Executive Officer, “Local communities play an important role in tackling litter and diverting waste from landfill. By providing funding for additional public place recycling infrastructure, education and awareness, this program aims to significantly increase beverage container recycling rates at the very local level.

“These grants enable projects that otherwise might not come to fruition to be implemented by local community groups, councils, and other organisations to benefit both the local community and the environment in a positive, results driven way.”

A proven ability to implement, measure and report on suitable projects will be taken into account, whilst past and present participants in the keep Australia Beautiful Sustainable Communities Awards-incorporating the Tidy Towns and Sustainable Cities programs, will also be highly regarded.

In larger communities this may mean infrastructure for events, or for special venues such as large retail centres, sporting venues or education centres. In smaller communities, it may mean assistance with transport or processing to overcome remote location or dispersed population.

The 2013 grants program brings the investment by Coca-Cola to $1.2 million in partnership with the Keep Australia Beautiful Network, to encourage public place recycling.  Over 125 organisations have implemented local projects Australia wide through the program to date.

A total of $409,000 in grant funding is available for this year’s program with applications closing on Friday 14th June 2013. Successful applications will be advised by early July.

To apply visit the Keep Australia Beautiful national website: www.kab.org.au (click ‘Programs Beverage Container Recycling Grants’) and fill in the online application form or contact Keep Australia Beautiful National Association.

On the 19th June, Member for Chatsworth Steve Minnikin, will be hosting a Queensland Plan Community Forum.

The Queensland Plan is a bipartisan initative, with the aim of building a 30 year strategic plan for Queensland. I encourage you to visit http://queenslandplan.qld.gov.au/ to learn more about the plan.

The forum will be open to all members of the Chatsworth Community and will provide you with the opportunity to contribute to the Queensland Plan.

Follow the link below for the venue map:
http://gallery.mailchimp.com/f0e09f5e382d5c9fd7d5352eb/images/MISC_Queensland_Plan_Venue_Map.jpg 

For further details about the event please contact: (07) 3308 6333

National Reconciliation Week is the time to build better relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians-and a time to come together to acknowledge the enormous contributions that Australia’s First Peoples have made to shape our nation.

Dreamtime at the ‘G’
in 2005 Essendon Football Club joined with the AFL, Richmond Football Club, the MCC and The Long Walk to establish the annual ‘Dreamtime at the ‘G’ game, during the AFL’s Indigenous round.

National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day is held on 26 May each year to acknowledge and recognise members of the stole generations.

For more information and ways to get involved visit: www.reconciliation.org.au 

 On 2 June 2013 the inaugural MT GRAVATT CHALLENGE hosted by the Rotary Club of Mt Gravatt will be held, bringing with it the opportunity for members of the community to challenge themselves against the Mountain and support a great cause at the same time.

The walking/jogging or running course starts at the base of Mount Gravatt Mountain on Shire Road, Mt Gravatt, and rises 132 metres over a distance of 1.5 kilometres of beautiful bushland scenery. Once you reach the summit you will be rewarded with a fantastic vista of Brisbane city looking north to the Glasshouse mountains, entertainment, prizes and if you wish, you can enjoy a coffee and a light meal at the Echidna Magic Cafe.

 When you’re ready you will need to make your way back down the mountain. This will be a great community event as there will be something for everyone. Consider a team entry to compete within your company or with another company, or simply to have some fun walking with friends. Families may enter as a group and enjoy some time together. What a great opportunity to challenge yourself against the Mountain. And, especially for dog lovers, you can bring and walk your dog up the mountain too!

This is a fun, local event that will:

• – Enhance and build partnerships in the local community
• – increase community awareness Rotary International
• – Promote healthy activity for all members of the community
• – Support the local branch of Meals on Wheels.
• – For further Information please contact Tony South:

Ph: 07 3272 1417

Email: tsouth@pbf.asn.au

This year’s Budget delivers more debt, more deficits, more taxes, more broken promises and more uncertainty said Ross Vasta Member for Bonner.

“At a time when Australians are desperately seeking stable and competent economic management, the Budget just delivers more chaos, debt and spin”, said Ross Vasta.

“For Bonner families, this Budget does nothing to help deal with cost of living pressures, economic uncertainty and poor services.

“Labor has again broken its word to the people of Bonner.  They promised no carbon tax and a surplus. Instead we got a carbon tax, record deficits and in this Budget, Labor scrapped tax cuts, family payments and the baby bonus.

“Wayne Swan said this Budget was about “jobs and growth” but the Budget actually forecasts an increase in unemployment (up to 5.75%) and lower growth (down to 2.75%). 

This Budget means less jobs and slower growth.

Ross Vasta said key areas of concern in the Budget include:

–  total gross debt to breach the $300 billion debt ceiling in coming years;

–  no credible path back to surplus;

–  at least a $4.7 billion blowout in the management of Australia’s borders since  
    last year’s Budget;

–  new borrowings of $49 million every single day, and

–  more than $25 billion in higher taxes over the next four years – with 99% of 
    these new taxes starting after the next election.

“Families and businesses have to live within their means, but this government doesn’t. 

Over the last 5 years, the Gillard Government has spent $191 billion more than it has raised.

“Only the Coalition has the Plan, experience and discipline to return the Budget to sustainable surpluses, reduce debt and provide real support to Australian families to help them get ahead again.

Ross Vasta said Tony Abbott’s Budget Reply to be delivered on Thursday night would provide more details of the Coalition’s Real Solutions Plan that will build a strong, prosperous economy and a safe, secure Australia.