The City of Stonnington provides this clarifying statement in relation to issues of community grants, friendship agreements and disaster relief.
Community grants
Council’s community grants program allocated over $1 million worth of cash and in-kind grants to around 150 individuals, community groups and local initiatives this year.
Individuals or organisations seeking grant funding must meet Stonnington’s eligibility criteria under our Community Grants Program policy. All Councillors are invited to be on the working panel to allocate funds and Councillors have final approval for all allocated funds.
Friendship agreements
The Victorian Government sector, in partnership with local councils have historically supported efforts to rebuild East Timor. The commitments and level of local council support has evolved over time.
The City of Stonnington, like many local councils, has friendship agreements with various not-for-profits and community groups. Friendship agreements signify goodwill, affirming a relationship between communities, groups or organisations. They are not legally binding and do not commit council to funding.
Disaster relief
Since elected, Councillors currently serving have made one $5K donation under the disaster relief policy.
Historical disaster relief donations that have taken place over the past 15 years are:
- In 2004, Council donated $10,000 in response to the Asian tsunami, which killed 230,000 people in over 12 countries. The donations were paid to Oxfam Community Aid Abroad and World Vision.
- In September 2007, Council donated $5,000 to the victims of the Greek bushfire.
- In May 2008, Council donated $5,000 to victims of the Burma cyclone.
- In 2009, Council donated $50,000 towards Victorian bushfire relief.
- In 2010, Council donated $15,000 to victims of the Indonesian earthquake, the Pacific tsunami and Typhoon Katsana.
- In 2011, Council donated $5,000 to the victims of the Queensland floods, $15,000 to the victims of the Victorian floods, $15,000 to the victims of the Japanese tsunami and earthquake and $15,000 to the victims of the New Zealand earthquake.
- In 2013, Council donated $15,000 to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Phillipines.
- In 2015, Council donated $5,000 to the victims of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu.
- In 2018, Council donated $5,000 to the Indonesian (Sulawesi province) Earthquake appeal.
