Requests for financial assistance can be made at any time during the financial year and must be made in writing using a completed application form. This also applies for requests for a reduction or waiver of Council fees and charges.
Financial Assistance funding will be made available under the following funding streams:
Financial Assistance for Community Fundraising Events, Projects and Representation
Financial contribution to assist with the cost of a community fundraising event and/or project or to assist individuals/groups representing their community.
Funding under this stream may be in the form of financial contribution/sponsorship, in-kind support or up to 50% fee waiver of Council venue hire and associated costs (e.g. waste removal).
Mayor's Discretionary Fund
Financial assistance available at the discretion of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to assist with small projects and community initiatives.
Reduction or Waiver of Council Fees & Charges
Consistent and equitable assessment of requests for the reduction or waiver of Council fees and charges for the use of Council facilities and/or services provided by Council.
It is highly recommended that applicants read the Financial Assistance & Reduction or Waiver of Council Fees & Charges Policy prior to submitting an application.
A copy of the Financial Assistance & Reduction or Waiver of Council Fees & Charges Policy and application form can be downloaded using the links below, and are also available :
- From Council's Customer Service Counter, Civic Centre, Bourke Street Goulburn
- via email request to: council@goulburn.nsw.gov.au
For further information please contact Council's Executive Assistant - Corporate & Community Services on 4823 4552.
Financial Assistance and Reduction or Waiver of Council Fees and Charges Policy(PDF, 329KB)
Application Form - Financial Assistance(PDF, 924KB)
Council is pleased to announce that Heritage Grants are now available for the 2026/2027 financial year. The purpose of the grant program is to encourage and support a wide range of positive works to heritage items throughout the Goulburn Mulwaree Council area.
Heritage Grants
Four grants of $5000 each and eight grants of $2500 are available for heritage properties in the Goulburn Mulwaree Council area. To be eligible for the program, properties either must be individually listed as a heritage item or identified within a heritage conservation area under Schedule 5 (Environmental Heritage) of the Goulburn Mulwaree Local Environmental Plan 2009. Funding is supplied by Council and Heritage NSW.
This year, Council’s Heritage Committee selected a set of themed works listed below. If a project involves these works, it will be assessed more favorably for selection in the 2026/2027 heritage grant round.
Themed works:
- The replacement or repair of awnings in the central business district.
- Better revealing or repairing the architectural detailing on historic parapets.
- Repainting of upper facades on Auburn Street and the wider central business district.
- The addition of or repair of historic accent lighting.
Note: Projects that do not focus on these works will still be considered and assessed against the standard assessment criteria but may not be ranked as high as a project that includes the targeted works.
All applications are scored and assessed against the below assessment criteria.
Grant assessment criteria
Council will take the following matters into account in assessing the priority of your application. It is not necessary for your project to meet all these criteria:
- technical and financial ability to complete the project by Monday 26 April 2027;
- the degree to which the applicant is financially contributing to the project;
- projects that clearly complement broader conservation objectives, e.g. projects which implement key findings of heritage studies or projects in designated heritage main streets or conservation areas;
- projects that would encourage the conservation of other heritage items;
- projects of heritage value to the community; commonly the item concerned will appear on heritage lists: e.g. the restoration of an important local heritage building;
- projects that are highly visible to the public, e.g. the replacement of a verandah to a building in a main street location;
- projects that have high public accessibility, e.g. a local museum, church or a private home that is open to the public several times a year;
- projects that are in an area that has received little or no funding;
- projects involving aspects of heritage that have received little or no funding e.g. historic gardens;
- projects subject to conservation controls where the owner can show hardship arising from conservation work required to the item; and
- urgent projects to avert threat to a heritage item.
Note: Owners with outstanding Council rates, and where compliance action is being undertaken under the current owner, are not eligible to receive grant funding.
The closing date for applications is 4:00pm, Monday 3 August 2026
Grants will not be offered if the work has taken place prior to the grant being offered. Successful applicants must match the grant funding dollar for dollar, as a minimum.
Grant Guidelines, application forms and further information are available below or from Council’s Customer Service counter at 184 Bourke Street or by phoning (02) 4823 4534.
2026/2027 Heritage Grant Guidelines and Application Form(PDF, 682KB)
Access to funding is critical for the ongoing development of our region. This grants portal is a collaborative initiative of RDA Southern Inland and participating councils across the region to provide local governments, businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals with simple and up-to-date access to grants and funding resources. Our aim is to empower you to easily find and successfully apply for grants to turn ideas into reality – without wasting time and effort.
This site provides a comprehensive list of grant and funding opportunities available to you, meaning that you should never miss a grant opportunity again. You can also register on Grant Funding Finder to receive emailed alerts when new ones open, to save your favourites and to access tips which will help you with applications.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council would like to acknowledge the work of Regional Development Australia Southern Inland in partnering with Grant Guru for our region.
Access Grant Funding Finder here
ClubGRANTS Category 1 Funding for 2026 has now CLOSED. The next round of funding will open in February 2027.
Goulburn and district community organisations may apply for funding towards local community service needs and priorities from the ClubGRANTS scheme.
The ClubGRANTS scheme allows Registered Clubs with annual gaming revenue exceeding $1 million to apply 1.5% of gaming machine revenue to specific community development and support projects. The Goulburn Workers’ Club, The Goulburn and District Soldiers’ Club and The Goulburn Railway Bowling Club all participate in the ClubGRANTS Scheme.
Category 1 Funding
At least 50% of funding from each club is to be allocated to “Category 1” projects. Projects in the following categories qualify for Category 1 funding:
- Community welfare and social services;
- Community development;
- Community health services
- Employment assistance activities.
In addition the proposals need to meet the following priorities for the local district:
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Access to a range of respite options for all sections of the community
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Support for special needs groups to access appropriate housing
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Access to opportunities for learning to promote living skills and social well being
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Social impact of unemployment
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Increase community building capacity isolated and disadvantaged sectors to facilitate social interaction
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Access to services for people with dual and complex needs
Funding applications for programs, projects and services assisting people with disabilities, older people, people from non-English speaking backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, women and young people are particularly encouraged. Goulburn Mulwaree Council administers the ClubGRANTS Scheme locally on behalf of the Workers’ Club and Soldiers’ Club.
The ClubGRANTS Committee will identify the local priorities from the applications received and make recommendations to participating clubs.
How To Apply
Please submit your application using the ClubGRANTS On-line portal found at the link below:
ClubGRANTS
For further information to assist applicants, please use the link below:
https://www.clubgrants.com.au/help/applicants
If you have any questions, please contact Debbie McCarthy via email debbie.mccarthy@goulburn.nsw.gov.au or (02) 4823 4552.
Events play a key role in strengthening the economy, community, and profile of the Goulburn Mulwaree region. Council provides sponsorship to support events that align with strategic objectives, deliver community and economic benefits, and promote sustainable growth.
Funding is assessed on merit and budget availability. Preference is given to events that can grow without ongoing reliance on Council support.
Fundraising events, or organisations whose main role is to fundraise, are ineligible for funding under this policy. These should be referred to the Financial Assistance and Reduction or Waiver of Council Fees and Charges Policy.
There are three primary sponsorship categories and a special events category:
Event Sponsorship Categories
A. Community Events
- Run by registered community groups, incorporated associations, or not-for-profit organisations.
- Benefit the community and local economy, and attract visitors.
- Encourage community participation, resilience and social cohesion.
B. Major Community Events (Pre-Determined)
- Significant, recurring events identified by Council as strategically important.
- Receive pre-allocated multi-year support.
C. Sporting Events
- Enhance Goulburn’s reputation as a host for regional, state and national competitions.
- Delivered in partnership with Sports Marketing Australia or sporting organisations.
D. Special Events
- Unique, one-off or high-profile events with significant economic, promotional, or strategic value.
- May include concerts, festivals, conferences, or cultural events.
Application Process
The Event Sponsorship Program offers two rounds of sponsorship for community and sporting events (excluding Major Community Events). Applications are accepted during two annual periods:
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Period 1
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Period 2
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Applications open (online via GMC website)
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September
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February
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Applications close
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End of September
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End of February
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Outcome (MOU distributed to successful applicants)
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End of October
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End of March
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Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application during Period 1 (September) where possible, as funding is limited and may be fully allocated before Period 2. If event dates are known in advance, applying in Period 1 is recommended due to the financial year.
The Events Sponsorship Policy can be viewed here.(PDF, 327KB)
The Event Sponsorship Assessment Matrix Criteria can be found here.(PDF, 387KB)
For more information please contact Council's Events Team Leader on 02 48234502.