Communities invited to seek funding to fight binge drinking

PDF printable version of Communities invited to seek funding to fight binge drinking (PDF 17 KB)

25 June 2008

Community groups across Australia can now apply for funding to fight binge drinking in their own towns and cities under the Federal Government’s National Binge Drinking Strategy.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing, Senator Jan McLucas, said $7.2 million was now available for the Community Level Initiative part of the Strategy.

“The aim of the Initiative is to give communities with problems related to binge drinking a way to fight that challenge on their own terms,” she said.

“These grants will allow community groups and organisations to develop effective and sustainable partnerships to combat binge drinking with, for example, their police, health authorities and government representatives.”

“It is important that individual communities are able to make a contribution to the national campaign as they will know the specific circumstances and details of what goes on. They will have a solid understanding of what activities will and won’t work. They will have the commitment and energy to succeed.”

Organisations such as sporting clubs, youth groups, church organisations and others are encouraged to apply for grants, of up to $150,000 for individual groups or $250,000 for groups in partnership.

The emphasis will be on innovative projects, in particular those aimed at preventing or reducing binge drinking by young people.

Application kits will be available from Monday at www.alcohol.gov.au, www.health.gov.au/tenders, by emailing communitylevelinitiatives@health.gov.au, or by phoning 1800 209 312.

“The Rudd Government is determined to fight binge drinking,” Senator McLucas said. “This Community Level Initiative will enable the battle to be taken directly into communities by communities for communities.”

Contact: Mark Davis 0417 684 096