A fresh round of funding is now on offer for Western Bay community groups.

More than $116,000 is available to help upgrade or develop public facilities across the district.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Facilities in the Community Fund, offered every two years, supports community groups to improve or develop public facilities.

Eligible facilities may be run by sports clubs, schools or volunteer organisations, and can be located on either private or council-owned land, as long as they’re available for community use.

This year, $116,812 is available.

The funding comes from developer financial contributions, which help provide community facilities needed as a result of growth from subdivisions and new developments.

Because of this, applications must clearly demonstrate how their project responds to growth in the community.

To qualify, projects must be capital works valued at $10,000 or more. This could include new equipment for an existing facility, building upgrades, or construction costs.

Council senior recreation planner Samantha Pottage said: “Our community facilities are where people come together, stay active, and feel connected. We know many community organisations are doing it tough right now, with rising costs and ongoing pressure on fundraising.

“This fund is one way we can help ease that burden and support the mahi happening on the ground.

“Projects like these are driven by passionate locals who see a need and step up to make a difference. We’re proud to support those community-led initiatives that make our rohe (district) such a great place to live. If you’ve got a project that will benefit your community, we want to hear from you.”

Applications will be assessed by a subcommittee of councillors Allan Sole, Tracey Coxhead and Grant Dally, who will consider each proposal against set criteria to ensure fair and objective decision-making.

Applications close 5pm, Monday, April 20.