Queensland Golf Clubs Secure $400,000 in Community Grants for Infrastructure Upgrades
BRISBANE, QLD — Fifteen golf clubs across Queensland have been awarded a combined total of more than $400,000 in funding through the latest round of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF).
The GCBF is the state’s largest one-off community grants program, redistributing approximately $60 million in annual gambling revenue to not-for-profit organizations. The current distribution focuses on facility upgrades, equipment procurement, and infrastructure improvements for clubs ranging from the Far North to the Brisbane metropolitan area.
Strategic Support Drives Grant Success
A significant portion of the funding was secured through Golf Australia’s Grant Writing Assistance Program (GWAP). Conducted in partnership with specialists Red Tape Busters, the initiative helped nine clubs secure $232,100. An additional $207,500 was awarded to six other affiliated clubs that submitted independent applications.
Sandgate Golf Club in North Brisbane was among those utilizing the GWAP, receiving $14,700 for a new roof to protect club equipment.
“We’ve received funding to install a roof over our existing machinery shed area, which is currently exposed to heat and the elements,” said Club Manager Laura Stewart. “This will allow us to store machinery in the covered space, freeing up the current shed to accommodate more motorised carts.”
Stewart noted that the expansion of the cart fleet is a strategic move for the club’s long-term viability. “More motorised carts means more players can access the course, which in turn supports increased participation and revenue,” she said.
Regarding the application process, Stewart added, “It was hugely valuable, and we can’t thank Andrew Hamilton from Red Tape Busters enough — his support and recommendations over the past six months have been outstanding.”
Regional Distribution and Project Scope
The grants cover a diverse range of projects designed to improve the player experience and club sustainability:
| Club | Grant Amount | Project Focus |
| Emerald | $35,000 | Furniture upgrade |
| Stanthorpe | $35,000 | Cart paths |
| Charters Towers | $35,000 | Tractor |
| Gailes | $35,000 | Solar installation |
| Kingaroy | $33,000 | Cart paths |
| Mt Coolum | $29,900 | Amenities upgrade |
| North Rockhampton | $25,900 | Clubhouse renovations |
Other recipients include Atherton, Cunnamulla, Munduberra, and Wowan, which each received between $33,000 and $35,000 for facility and amenity upgrades. Middlemount secured $30,000 for outdoor shade, while Millmerran, Home Hill, and Sandgate received funding for renovations and roofing.
Future Funding Opportunities
With Round 126 applications now finalized, the next opportunity for Queensland not-for-profits to access the fund is approaching. Round 127 of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund is scheduled to open in the second half of 2026.
