Council has voted down a $10,000 grant application by Ability Network, as the final touches are made on their new Community Hub.
The Community Hub, which launched on March 12, will host space for day activities for the more than 200 clients and their carers across the community, including cooking, telehealth, social events and therapeutic support.
The grant application was received by council in September 2024, with a requirement for applications to be made before any construction began. However, the Ability Network Community Hub began work following their application the Access Incentives Grant Funding program.
“I'm torn on this one. I don't feel good about declining a request … we have eligibility criteria for a reason,” Cr Tony Horton said.
“I don't disagree with them having these doors, but to be to be eligible under the scheme, the work can't have commenced prior to the application for the grant.”
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Mayor Paul Smith said under exceptional circumstances, funding had been provided to organisations outside of the initial eligibility criteria.
“We've had other times where something has already commenced or been built. In one case, and we still go from the grant, but that building didn't comply,” he said.
“This building has been designed for a purpose, a specific purpose, and it was built that way. It complies with the current legislation of disabled entry.”
“This is a want rather than a need.”
Councillor Peter Wright also suggested asking for the full amount available under the grant was “too clinical,” adding that he “thought they got over a million dollars to build that hub. I could be wrong."
“They push the scheme a little bit too far. I was disappointed to read the quote was for automatic doors,” he said.
“I think it said $10,000, exactly what the grant figure is … it seems a bit too clinical.”
Cr Cave, who also is the president of Cowra Community Enterprises, also voted against the grant application, adding that a different grant could be suitable
"I support what you're saying, Councillor [Wright]. If you wanted to put something extra in, it should go to another grant, or have it in with that before," she said.
The grant application was turned down with a unanimous vote from councillors Horton, Wright, Speecheley and Cave. Councillor Cheryl Downing was excused from the vote.
Chief Executive of Ability Network, Shane Kruger, said the group had not been notified of the unsuccessful application, hearing of result through the council meeting.
“We are understandably disappointed by this decision, and along with that, some of the misinformation about our organisation’s funding discussed by the councillors at the meeting,” Mr Kruger said.
Mr Kruger said the application for the grant was made in September 2024, “Ability Network was not able to wait 4-5 months since lodgement of the application for council determinations about the grant to hold off on construction and therefore proceeded with works.”
Mr Kruger clarified that the build was largely self-funded by Ability Network, with one grant of $70,000 granted through Liquor & Gaming NSW to help cover the costs of the kitchen as part of a more than $1 million Community Hub project. Mr Kruger also added that the doors were purpose-built to support the complex needs of clients, some of whom may be bedridden or using larger mobility aids including beds, wheelchairs and stretchers.
With over 600 square metres of space dedicated for day program activities, telehealth and therapies, as well as in-house office support, the purpose built facility represents a state of the art advance for the region. Mr Kruger said that whilst Ability Network had benefited from earlier support, the project has been funded almost entirely from savings accrued over twenty years of Ability Network's operations.
“While there is an inference made by the Councillor in the meeting that Ability Network was gaming the grant system, the quote we received from the local supplier reflects the true cost. Council (and Councillors) are welcome to validate the cost of automatic doors with local suppliers,” he said.
“A large part of that cost was the additional burden of accessibility regulations, which we believed is the purpose of the grant program announced by council.
“As a facility designed for people with disabilities, every single element of the facility had to be designed with accessibility in mind – this added significant cost to our build.”
“It is not uncommon for local government to be uninformed on the operating and funding models of enterprises within [its] boundaries – that would be a challenging task for any council to achieve,” Mr Kruger said.
The opening of the Community Hub was on March 12, with members of the public invited to attend.
Mr Kruger extended an invitation to councillors to visit the Ability Network and its new community hub, to learn first-hand how their work impacts the Cowra community.
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