At council's ordinary meeting on Wednesday June 2, a motion was put forth to fill a spot on the panel left by the retirement of former councillor Jan McWilliams earlier this year.

Cr McWillams was originally appointed to the panel along with Cr Karen Hutchinson at an ordinary meeting on May 23, 2018 - the last time of the funding panel was required. The funds were then quarantined until recently to complete repair works at Stroud Showground after extensive damaged was caused as a result of the 2015 Stroud flood.

At the council meeting, deputy mayor Claire Pontin nominated Katheryn. The nomination was seconded by Cr Len Roberts and was passed unanimously.

The assessment panel comprises of the two MidCoast councillors and a member of the Duralie Community Consultation Committee who review applications for the fund. The panel will meet during the first week of July and make funding recommendations to council at the July 28 ordinary meeting.

The Duralie Community Fund is currently taking applications for projects which will benefit local education, environment, health, infrastructure, arts, leisure and cultural heritage in the Stroud region. Organisations can apply online via the Duralie Community Fund application form before Friday June 18 at www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/grants.

Why does the fund exist?

The fund was set up as a requirement of the Duralie Coal mine development approval for developer to make contributions to fund community projects in the area in which the mine operates. These funds are to be diverted into three distinct areas - infrastructure, environmental; and community projects.