Media Release

KAP Federal Leader and Member for Kennedy Bob Katter MP is delighted to announce the consultative committee for the $150K Stronger Communities Programme Funding for Kennedy.

The funding process requires a consultative committee to be established to provide a preliminary assessment of the initial applications. The Minister and his department then provide the final decision on funding applications.

The consultative committee is to be comprised of:

• John Kremastos (Innisfail area)
• Peter Piccone (Southern Cairns area)
• Janene Fegan (Mid West area)
• Glyn Ford (Tablelands Area)
• Christine Ihle (Cardwell and south area)
• Colwyn Parker (Charters Towers area)
• Yvonne Tunney (Gulf Savannah area)
• Peta MacRae (Mount Isa area).

“These people will give a local perspective on a broad range of areas. I’m very sorry we can’t put more people on,” Mr Katter said.

“These are excellent little grants, we really need them to get small projects off the ground.

“It must be emphasised that the committee is an advisory committee, people can’t expect them to deliver the money, they have to ultimately be approved by the Department under very tight guidelines.

“We urge people to start putting their thinking caps on, given these are small grants.”

Under the Stronger Communities Programme funding of $150,000 per year will be available in 2015-16 and 2016-17 for the electorate of Kennedy, to support small capital projects to improve local community participation and contribute to the community’s vibrancy and viability.

Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 will be available for projects with matched contributions, in cash or in-kind, on at least a dollar for dollar basis.

We encourage all community based incorporated not-for-profit organisations, local government bodies and legal entities with small capital projects in the local communities to make the most of the programme.

Projects for consideration need to be submitted to Mr Katter’s office by Monday 17 August 2015.

For more information on the programme please contact Mr Katter’s Mount Isa office on (07) 4743 3534 or go to http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/scp/index.aspx.

Consultative Committee - Backgrounds

John Kremastos, Innisfail area

• Local Innisfail business owner
• President Innisfail District Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry
• President Innisfail Brothers Rugby League Football Club
• Member local Lions club

Peter Piccone, Southern Cairns Area

• Part owner of a large family business in Edmonton
• Believes family and community are very important
• Neighbourhood watch member
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland member

Janene Fegan, Mid West area

• Local Julia Creek business owner
• Registered nurse and worked at the Julia Creek hospital prior to owning the small business
• Dirt and Dust committee member
• McKinlay Shire Advisory Health Board member
• Community Advisory Network member
• Race Club member

Glyn Ford, Tablelands Area

• President of the Board of the Community Services Tablelands
• Treasurer of the Lions club Atherton
• Member of Service Clubs for a number of decades

Christine Ihle, Cardwell and south

• Small business owner
• Secretary of the Kirrama Range Road Support Group
• Treasurer of the Cardwell Chamber of Commerce
• Member of the Golf Club Committee
• Member of the former Cyclone Yasi Recovery Committee for Cardwell

Colwyn Parker – Charters Towers area

• Jack of all trades - former trawler operator, earthmover, builder, concrete construction supervisor
• Heavily involved in the Charters Towers Church of Christ which supports outreach services in PNG, Disability Services in QLD and youth programs.

Yvonne Tunney, Gulf Savannah area

• Former Grazier, now small business tourism operator
• An original founder of the Cairns to Karumba bike ride
• An original founder of the Gulf Chamber of Commerce
• Secretary of the Karumba Progress Association
• Secretary of the Gulf Barramundi Restocking Association
• Treasurer of the Karumba Recreation Club
• Previous Savanah Way board member

Peta MacRae, Mount Isa area

• Local business owner
• Formally a teacher in Mount Isa for many years
• Board member of Mount Isa Chamber of Commerce
• Children all went through primary school in Mount Isa, involved in various sporting clubs
• Business sponsor of representative football teams.