WOOLGOOLGA Lake Working Group has been successful in its application for a $5,000 Federal Government grant, allowing the group to continue its surveillance of the local Woolgoolga waterway.

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The 2020 Supplementary Volunteer Grant funding was allocated by the Australian Department of Social Services, and supported by The Centre for Volunteering.

Woolgoolga Lake Working Group is looking forward to using the grant funds to improve the monitoring and recording of changes in the Woolgoolga Lake area, and for volunteer training and the purchase of equipment.

The group now intends to purchase a drone to monitor Woolgoolga Lake for erosion, pollution, sand and sediment build up.

Water quality testing kits are now being used by the group, with monthly testing commencing at specified sites around the lake to enable group members to monitor the lake more closely.

The kits were purchased through grant funding from Coffs Harbour City Council’s Environmental Levy Grants.

The group plans to commence work on the stabilisation of the Woolgoolga Lake Reserve foreshore in February, using Coffs Harbour City Council Community Infrastructure Grant funding received by the group in July.

Woolgoolga Lake Working Group secretary Karen Dallas said the small proactive group has a strong core membership of 22 members who care about the local environment and wish to save Woolgoolga Lake and its surrounds for everyone to enjoy.

“For the environment, ecosystems, cultural and heritage, marine life, bird life, flora and fauna for locals and visitors to enjoy now and for the future,” Karen said.

The Centre for Volunteering received 1,417 applications for grant funding and 203 organisations were successful, with a total funding pool of $748,000 available in NSW.

“Woolgoolga Lake Working Group Inc was lucky enough to be awarded $5,000,” Karen said.

The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said the grants make it possible for organisations to buy equipment, or funding can go towards things like volunteer training.

“Funding in this round is particularly important to assist organisations to transition their volunteer programs back into operation following the disruption caused by COVID-19,” Ms Rygate said.

“Volunteers are vital to building resilient communities and these small grants will support volunteer re-engagement and help organisations adapting practices to support volunteers’ safety, as the economy reopens.”

Other successful recipients of the recent grant funding in the Coffs Harbour region include Woolgoolga Seniors Centre ($4,500), Bellingen Mentor Group Incorporated ($4,000), Coffs Coast Jump Club Inc ($5,000), Coffs Colts Cricket Club Incorporated ($1,250), Coffs Harbour Girl Guides ($2,750), Coffs Harbour Touch Association ($1,100), Country Women’s Association of NSW, Glenreagh Branch ($4,820), and Crossmaglen Public School P&C Association ($4,500).

Anyone interested in joining Woolgoolga Lake Working Group can contact the group at wlwg2456@gmail.com.

By Emma DARBIN