The first round of funding from the Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) has been approved, with 13 community groups sharing in $526,333.

In partnership with Glencore and The Bloomfield Group, Singleton Council established the CEDF to ensure the best use of Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) monies for the Singleton community now and into the future.

The objectives of the fund are to assist in proactively managing the impacts of mining by using funding contributions to increase economic growth and productivity and promote health and wellbeing for the communities of the Singleton Local Government Area now and into the future.

35 applications were received in the first round and after careful consideration the following 13 applications were successful: 

• Singleton Netball Association – Lighting upgrade to courts – $56,331
• Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association (HVWTA) – NBN rollout connectivity for the Singleton – $50,000
• Singleton PCYC – BBQ Trailer to support fundraising – $20,000
• Rotary Club of Singleton on Hunter – Sculpture seating – $14,200
• Youth Off the Streets – New program targeting at risk youth – $41,000
• Hunter Women’s Centre – Women’s counselling and recovery program – $30,020
• Singleton Landcare – Regeneration of P.A. Heuston Lookout – $12,200
• Singleton Country Women’s Association – Upgrade of kitchen and bathroom amenities – $87,997
• On Track Hunter – Youth education and employment program – $60,000 ($30,000 per year for two years)
• Singleton Heights Pre-School – Food Pantry Project – $26,880 ($13,440 per year for two years)
• Broke Residents Association – Feasibility study for the Bulga to Broke Discovery Trail – $50,000
• Singleton Triathlon Club – Electronic Timing Device – $17,705
• Lifeline Hunter – expansion of the Suicide Safe Singleton Program – $60,000