Council grants to help drive road safety education

Student drivers in Townsville will benefit from the RYDA Road Safety Education program thanks to the support of a Council grant.

At Wednesday’s Ordinary Council Meeting, Council approved a $5,152.73 cash (excl. GST) grant and $6,395.45 venue hire fee waiver (excl. GST) for RYDA to deliver the program from Tuesday  17 October to Friday 20 October 2023 at Reid Park.

RYDA is essential youth development and resilience program for 16–18-year-old students who are learning to drive independently or are travelling as passengers of novice drivers.

Developed by road safety and education experts, RYDA teaches question asking, lateral thinking and problem solving. In driving, these skills assist with hazard/risk perception, attention control and situational awareness.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said Council was proud to partner with RYDA for these highly engaging and memorable one-day workshops which front-load students’ understanding of road safety.

“RYDA is facilitated by locally-trained mentors including Police/First Responders, driving instructors and crash survivors and is coordinated by the Rotary Club of Townsville RYDA Organising Committee,” Cr Greaney said.

“Being a safe driver depends on both developing experience and adopting key risk-lowering strategies, and plenty of Townsville youth will benefit from taking part in this well-respected and proven program.”

Council also noted nine grants for community groups through the Townsville City Grants & Partnerships program of value up to and including $5,000.

This support included a:

• $2,200 cash grant for the Townsville Toy Library for their community open day
• $1,997 cash grant and $573.82 venue hire fee waiver for learning resources and newsletter publications for the University of The Third Age Townsville, who offer lifelong learning opportunities to anyone over fifty, retired or semi-retired
• $1,020 cash grant and $46.36 venue hire fee waiver fee to HeartKids Limited and their Two Feet and a Heartbeat charity walk on October 15 for children and their families affected by Childhood Heart Disease
• $4726 cash grant and $46 venue hire fee waiver for the Bluewater Gardening Fair and Flower Show
• $4927.27 cash grant for the Alice River Free Family Fun Day 2023.

Local sporting clubs also benefitted through several grants, including a:

• $516.82 cash grant and $523.64 venue hire waiver fee for the Townsville Badminton Association to host the North Queensland Badminton Tournament
• $3338.18 cash grant and $1472.73 venue hire waiver fee for Northern Monsoons Volleyball to host the Townsville Classic indoor volleyball tournament
• $4254.92 cash grant and $27.27 venue hire waiver fee for the 2023 Garbutt Magpies Cup
• $4,813.63 cash grant for the Rupertswood & District Horse Club’s annual Barrel Race Spectacular.

“Council is committed to keeping Townsville as a sustainable destination that embraces and participates in the arts, sports, events and recreational activities and we are delighted to partner with these local groups to help them out where we can,” Cr Greaney said.

To find out more about grant opportunities from Townsville City Council, visit the Grants & Partnerships page.