Waste facility payments to fund community projects up to $15,000
04 August 2025
Ipswich residents will have more opportunities to enhance their local community and environment with a new fund providing grants of up to $15,000.
Individuals, community groups and businesses will be able to apply for grants for projects offsetting impacts associated with the Ti Tree Bioenergy waste management facility in Willowbank.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Jim Madden said the Ti Tree Bioenergy Community Fund will be established from payments made to council by the facility’s operators.
“Council has been working with the community to identify and deliver projects aimed at mitigating any potential environment or social impacts arising from the facility which turns waste into clean energy,” Cr Madden said.
“Council receives minimum annual payments plus a charge per tonne of waste from the operators and has been focused on using these funds to carry out programs on council owned or managed land.
“The new Ti Tree Bioenergy Community Fund will give power to the people by encouraging initiatives on private land, complementing council’s work in public spaces.
“Privately owned land is vital to Ipswich’s overall environment and many properties have significant ecological value, so we are delighted to provide these grants to enhance these features.”
Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine said the new community fund, set to be opened in early 2026, will bring benefits to wider Ipswich.
“The great thing about the Ti Tree Bioenergy Community Fund is that it will diversify the range of projects being undertaken,” Cr Augustine said.
“Rather than being restricted to council-led projects, this fund puts the money into the hands of residents, allowing them to take ownership of efforts to improve the community.
“The types of projects that residents may be eligible for funding include tree plantings to connect wildlife and vegetation corridors and stabilise waterway banks, weed management and fish stocking.
“Community organisations may want to apply for funding to carry out projects, programs and hold events, while businesses could be eligible for sustainability program grants that benefit the broader community.”
Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said the 2025-2026 Budget has outlined an overall pool of $200,000 for the Ti Tree Bioenergy Community Fund.
“Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed project will address a perceived or real impact from the bioenergy facility, with applications to be assessed against an eligibility criteria,” Cr Madsen said.
“Council will work with community members on their applications to ensure they meet the criteria, giving them the best chance possible of gaining funding.
“I’m excited to see the ideas of community members for ways to improve their local areas come to fruition as a result of this new community fund.
“This initiative will ensure the people of Ipswich can fully enjoy the benefits of Ti Tree Bioenergy’s annual payments.”
More information about applying for funding under the Ti Tree Bioenergy Community Fund will be available at a later date.
Details about Ti Tree Bioenergy’s payments to Ipswich City Council can be found on council’s Transparency and Integrity Hub.
Ipswich City Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul people of the Yugara/Yagara Language Group, as custodians of the land and waters we share. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, as the keepers of the traditions, customs, cultures and stories of proud peoples.