Northern Beaches Council Placemaking Grants in Australia

Deadline: 28-Jul-25

The Northern Beaches Council is accepting applications for Placemaking Grants to enable new or expanded place activations by assisting with associated start-up or onetime costs, such as purchase of materials or equipment hire.

The program encourages the community to take an active role in the direction of their town and village centers, and deliver enhanced economic, social, environmental and/or cultural benefits to the Northern Beaches community.

Purpose

• Placemaking, through place activation, is creating quality places that people want to live, work and play by increasing vibrancy and contributing to a safe and inclusive community. It is a collaborative process that has everyone’s wellbeing in mind.
• Successful placemaking relies on the inclusion and active participation of a wide range of community stakeholders – through every aspect of the process, from design, planning and the final delivery.

Priorities

• Strategic framework and priorities:
  • This grants program aligns with Goals 7, 11, 13, 14 and 15 of Council’s Community Strategic Plan 2040. The community has access to a diverse range of cultural activities and events.
    • Support innovative ideas and build the capacity of local cultural and creative communities.
    • Expand cultural events and creative opportunities to enable social interaction/cohesion and stimulate wellbeing.
    • Encourage a broad range of activities that enable social interaction, stimulate wellbeing and support people at each stage of their lives.
  • Our local centers are vibrant and healthy, catering for diverse economic and social needs.
    • Create welcoming villages and neighborhood centers that are vibrant, accessible and support our quality of life.
    • Collaborate with the community in the design of vibrant open spaces and neighborhoods.
  • The businesses are resilient, well connected and thrive in an environment that supports innovation, entrepreneurialism and economic growth.
  • Improve access for businesses to information, incentive programs and enterprise support.
  • Facilitate innovative environments and hubs where startup businesses. entrepreneurs and innovators are supported and connected.
  • Support business and professional networks to respond to changing business conditions.
  • The economy provides opportunities that match the skills and needs of the population.
    • Enable all residents to participate and contribute to the local economy and local employment.
  • The centers are sustainable, encompassing a diverse range of businesses that attract visitation and provide work, education, leisure and social opportunities.
    • Enhance and extend opportunities for sustainable visitor economy throughout the area.
    • Recognise and support the unique role of their local and strategic centres, in keeping with local character.
    • Encourage residents to shop local and support their local centers.
    • Facilitate active, safe and welcoming centers for residents and visitors during the day and into the evening.

Funding Information

• Total funding pool $20,000
• A grant request can be for any amount but must be able to provide justification for the amount requested within the context of their budget and plan. Grant amounts can be as small as $500 to decorate a shop front or up to $4,000 to paint a mural or create a live activation. Grants for larger amounts can be submitted and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All grants may be partially or fully funded following the panel’s consideration.

Expected Outcomes

• Community benefit
  • promote cultural connection
  • increase community satisfaction
  • encourage cultural diversity and inclusiveness
  • promote more active lifestyles
  • promote awareness of environmental programs and initiatives.
• Social benefit
  • strengthen local cohesion
  • promote sense of belonging and wellbeing
  • encourage community participation and involvement
  • enhance the sense of place and promote liveability for local residents.
• Economic outcomes
  • support local businesses and job creation
  • increase tourist visitation and spend
  • showcase local industries
  • enhance the profile of key destinations.
• Project outcome indicators
  • The assessment panel will consider the following indicators for how well you address the project outcomes:
    • applicant has outcomes that are clear
    • applicant has outcomes that are achievable
    • application shows consideration for how the success of the project will be measured, by including key indicators to demonstrate that the stated outcomes have been achieved

Eligible Activities

• A number of activities require approval from Council and other agencies such as the Police. These can include but are not limited to:
  • Public reserve bookings
  • Waste management & cleaning
  • Liquor license
  • Fireworks
  • Aquatic license
  • Environmental health (food related)
  • Machinery/vehicle access
  • Temporary structures
  • Public Address systems
  • Musical performances
  • Lighting
  • Power/generators
  • Road closure/traffic management
  • Car parking
  • Community centre bookings
  • Filming and photography
  • Busking Council’s website contai

Ineligible Activities

• Activations that are overtly religious or political, divisive or offensive to the general community.
• Promotion of alcohol or tobacco products or gambling.
• Be based on privately owned buildings or land.
• Recurring or ongoing operational expenses not directly related to the proposed activation.
• Payment of debts.
• Fundraising for political parties or religious groups.
• Activations that are seen to be in competition or conflict with Council activities.
• Normal operation of regular activations such as gatherings, markets, or sport.
• Online activities

Eligibility Criteria

• All applications must meet the eligibility criteria, as listed below.
  • Organisations must:
    • Not owe any outstanding rates or debts to Council.
    • Be up-to-date or have completed and adequately acquitted any previous grant/sponsorship funding from Northern Beaches Council.
  • Be one of the following:
    • Incorporated
    • Not for profit organisation
    • Commercial businesses or individual with an ABN
    • Acknowledge if the activation is for the purpose of fundraising either for itself, or a third party,
    • Have sought permission from the building/site owner for the project to proceed in principle.
    • Applicants and/or activations which have previously received financial support from Council will be assessed on past performance. Existing activations must demonstrate innovation and or expansion to be considered under additional grant applications.
  • Activations must:
    • Be open to the public to attend and/or participate.
    • Be held in town and village centres within the Northern Beaches LGA and directly support the businesses in the area.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Northern Beaches Council does not provide grants to projects that:
  • Duplicate existing services or programs unless there is a demonstrated additional need.
  • Have already occurred (no retrospective funding).
  • Are already funded by another Northern Beaches Council grant program.
  • Have multiple applicants submitting applications for the same project.
  • Have operational expenses, such as rent, ongoing staff wages, insurance, utilities, day-to-day general office supplies not directly related to the project.
  • Include travel or accommodation expenses.
  • Council does not provide fee waivers or free use for in-house design, printing and distribution service, hall hire, street closures, or cleansing and waste service for events. These costs must be included in the application budget.

For more information, visit Northern Beaches Council.