A $1 MILLION North Stradbroke Island community fund is being wound up, a victim of the transition from sand mining.
Sibelco group operations manager Glen Best said the Straddie Sand Mining Community Fund would close after five years of operations.
Sibelco had put $1 million into the fund which it had launched in 2011 as pressure mounted on the company and state government from locals and conservationists to end sand mining on the island.
Mr Best said the fund would close in line with the end of mining operations.
Formed in 2011, the fund was developed to promote the economic development of the island and to help the community to make the transition to self-sufficiency for when sand mining ends.
“The Straddie fund was developed to aid the transition of North Stradbroke Island and every project completed has achieved this goal,’’ Mr Best said.
“With 2019 legislation now in place and the Queensland government managing the transition, we move away from the transition phase and into the relinquishment phase where we are forced to closely review our commitments, including to our workforce and the environment, as we prepare to exit.
“Sibelco will still be providing community funding to NSI between now and the end of mining in 2019, including those where we have written and signed agreements in place.
“Future requests for funding will be managed ... at a more direct, local level.”
Fund projects include expansion of the Allsports Club, the construction of an amenities block at the Straddie Golf Club and upgrades to the Terra Bulla Leumeah Conservation Reserve.
The fund also has supported key community groups, including the Point Lookout Surf Life Saving Club, the NSI Aboriginal and Islander Housing Co-operative Society and the Marie Rose Medical Centre.
“We would like to thank the board members for their dedication to the fund over the past five years and for being the voice of a community which they are so passionate about,’’ Mr Best said.
“There is no doubt that the projects they have recommended over the years will ensure a positive future for North Stradbroke Island.’’
