NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports is awarding $60,000 in funding to community initiatives including a marine conservation program and an indigenous support program.
NQBP announced the nine recipients of its 2023-24 community fund on Thursday.
The ports corporation received more than 50 applications in the second year of the funding program from a range of groups across NQBP’s four port communities.
NQBP said its team worked carefully to evaluate each application, with each of the successful applicants demonstrating an ability to make a real difference in their respective communities.
All the supported initiatives align with NQBP’s values of excellence, unity, respect, and integrity.
Selected initiatives also promote the principles of diversity and inclusion, and recognition of First Nations Peoples.
Reef Catchments CEO Katrina Dent said her team was excited to extend a successful marine debris removal program conducted in conjunction with Wildcat Mackay earlier this year.
“The program proved highly popular with the community,” she said.
“Volunteers shared that their highlights were being able to meaningfully help the environment while getting to see a different side of Mackay.
“Thanks to NBQP’s generous support, we are able to repeat this experience, engage more members of our community and help keep our islands free from marine debris, thereby reducing the impact of one threatening process affecting our marine turtles.”
The NQBP Community Fund is an annual sponsorship program open to non-profit groups and organisations, and registered charities.
The 2024-25 NQBP Community Fund will be reopened for applications next financial year.
