A theatrical production featuring “a chicken, a conflicted pony and a misunderstood peacock” has secured more than $4,300 in ratepayer funding as part of Hobart City Council’s latest round of grants.
The “intergalactic musical adventure” is one of over 50 projects sharing in a $395,482 funding pool signed off by council CEO Michael Stretton in the February 2025 Biannual Grant Round.
Other grants include $14,908 to make ceramic burrows for Little Penguins, $7,500 for a plant-based milk dispenser at a university food hub and $15,000 for a five-day “hyperpop” music festival.
The funding decisions were made under delegated authority, not through a full council vote and cover a mix of community services, experimental arts and climate initiatives.
One of the biggest winners was the Tasmanian Fashion Festival, which picked up the maximum grant of $20,000 to support runway shows, industry workshops and designer showcases.
Climate action also received strong backing, with 18 youth-led environmental projects funded through the Youth Climate Action Fund.
These include $3,500 to install e-bike and EV chargers at Hobart College and $7,500 for a “climate theatre” production on deforestation and pollution.
The grants also support cultural events, with $1,500 going to a Hindu festival and $6,186 to a Day of the Dead celebration featuring performances by local artists.
Colony 47, now Homebase, received $5,000 for its annual Christmas lunch for people in need, while The Nappy Collective also secured $5,000 to provide free nappies to families doing it tough.
Applications were assessed by panels made up of council staff and external reviewers before receiving final sign-off from the CEO.
It was a competitive round, with just 51 out of 109 eligible applications getting across the line.
This grant round is one of two major funding opportunities offered by the council each year, with the next round scheduled for August 2025, pending budget approval.
