Busy ports do not operate in a vacuum, drawing on local communities for staff, support and patience as the business of importing and exporting goods for Australia and the world takes place.
For the team at North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP) part of recognising the support of its local community is the creation of a Community Fund designed to be used to assist groups working across the NQBP’s port communities of Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point (Bowen) and Weipa.
The 2026-2027 Community Fund has an allocation of $100,000 to be put towards local projects that will better the communities in which they are undertaken. Each grant is valued at up to $9,500.
NQBP Chief Executive Officer Brendan Webb says the Community Fund reflects NQBP’s commitment to investing in initiatives that respond to real community needs.
“Our port communities are home to organisations doing important work every day,” Webb says.
“The Community Fund is one way we can help turn good ideas into practical outcomes – supporting initiatives that improve wellbeing, strengthen connections and make our communities more resilient.”
The NQBP Community Fund is open to not-for-profit community groups, organisations and registered charities and supports events, programs and activities that align with NQBP’s strategic themes, values of Care, Connection, Courage and Curiosity.
NQBP says applications that respond to an identified community or environmental need, and that promote the principles of diversity and inclusion, are encouraged.
Previous Fund recipient Debbie Knight, President of Grapevine Group says the support it had received had enabled the organisation to deliver targeted suicide-prevention awareness initiatives across the region.
“Support from the NQBP Community Fund allowed us to deliver our Be Suicide Alert this Christmas campaign, helping to educate the community about suicide warning signs during a time of increased risk,” Knight says.
“The funding supported radio advertising, billboards and social media, directing people to local support services and resources through the Grapevine Group app.
“Raising awareness saves lives, and this support helped us reach more people with vital information when it mattered most.”
Applications for the 2026–27 NQBP Community Fund are now open and will close on Friday April 17, 2026, with successful applicants to be announced in June.
To apply, visit www.nqbp.com.au.