Apply Now: Brisbane City Council’s Community Facility Category Grants (Australia)

Deadline: 06-Oct-2026

The Community Facility Category of the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants supports incorporated not-for-profit organisations that lease Council community facilities to plan, improve, develop, and maintain those facilities. The programme provides funding for specific facility projects, including building upgrades, sports infrastructure, accessibility improvements, lighting, solar panels, irrigation, water tanks, storage, and other eligible infrastructure works. Funding ranges from $10,000 to $200,000 GST exclusive, while Planning and Design applications can request up to $30,000.

About the Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grants

The Community Facility Category is designed to help eligible community organisations improve and maintain Council community-leased facilities. Funding is available for specific identified facility improvement, development, planning, design, or maintenance projects rather than general organisational costs. The programme aims to support facilities that provide benefits to the community through improved infrastructure, accessibility, safety, functionality, and usability. What Projects Can Be Supported? The grant supports a broad range of facility improvement and infrastructure projects.

Eligible projects may include:

- Planning and design. - Building upgrades. - Clubhouse upgrades. - Sports field improvements. - Indoor sports flooring. - Multi-use courts. - Lighting. - Accessible amenities and change rooms. - Access paths and ramps. - Solar panels. - Irrigation systems. - Water tanks. - Accessible parking. - Lifts. - Storage facilities. - Other eligible infrastructure works. Projects must relate to a specific identified facility improvement or development need. Facility Maintenance Funding can also support maintenance work needed to keep community facilities safe and functional. Eligible maintenance activities may include: - Repairs. - Reinstatement work. - Work addressing health needs. - Work addressing safety requirements. - Work addressing security needs. Funding Available Funding under the Community Facility Category ranges from $10,000 to $200,000 GST exclusive. For projects focused specifically on planning and design, applicants can request up to $30,000. Applicants should ensure that their requested amount is appropriate for the proposed facility project and clearly supported by the project scope and costs. Planning and Design Funding Planning and Design applications can request up to $30,000. Eligible planning and design costs include: - Drawings. - Specialist consultants. - Feasibility investigations. - Technical investigations. - Contaminated land investigations. - Development application fees. - Certification fees. This funding can help organisations complete the preparatory work needed before undertaking larger facility improvement or development projects. Who Can Apply? Applicants must meet the programme’s organisational and facility requirements.

Eligible applicants include:

- Incorporated not-for-profit organisations that lease a Council community-leased facility. - Organisations supported by an eligible incorporated not-for-profit auspice organisation. Applicants must have the appropriate authority to undertake the proposed works. Auspice Organisations An organisation that does not independently meet the eligibility requirements may be supported by an eligible incorporated not-for-profit auspice organisation. The auspice arrangement must meet the programme requirements, and the relevant organisation must be eligible to act in this capacity. Other Eligibility Requirements Applicants must also meet several administrative and financial requirements.

Applicants must:

- Have authority to undertake the proposed works. - Have no outstanding Council debts. - Have no overdue or unacquitted grants. - Have no relevant outstanding Office of Fair Trading issues. - Have completed Council’s annual lessee survey for the facility. The proposed project must also relate to a specific identified facility improvement or development project. Specific Facility Projects The grant is intended to support clearly identified facility projects. Applicants should therefore demonstrate the particular improvement, development, planning, design, or maintenance need being addressed. The proposal should explain how the project will improve the relevant Council community facility and benefit its users and the wider community. Application Process The application process consists of two stages: - Expression of Interest (EOI) - Invitation to Apply (ITA) Applicants must first participate in the EOI stage. Organisations that progress through the process may then be invited to submit a full application through the ITA stage. Expression of Interest Assessment Expressions of Interest are assessed against several factors.

Council considers:

- The proposed project. - Community need. - Expected community benefit. - Project feasibility. - Project cost. Applicants should clearly demonstrate why the facility project is needed, who will benefit, how it can be delivered, and why the proposed costs are appropriate. 2026–27 Grant Priorities Council also considers the published 2026–27 grant priorities when assessing applications. Applicants should ensure that their proposed facility project demonstrates alignment with the relevant priorities of the grant programme. Preference for Applicants Without Recent Funding Council gives preference to applicants that have not received a Better Suburbs Grant or significant Council capital funding during the current financial year. This consideration does not apply in the same way where an organisation is acting as an auspice. Community Need and Benefit Community need is an important consideration during the EOI assessment. Applicants should explain the need for the proposed facility improvement and the expected benefits for the community. Projects should demonstrate a clear connection between the identified facility need, proposed works, and anticip