PORT Stephens Council has authorised more than $850,000 in community projects and grants at possibly its last meeting of elected councillors.
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It could be interpreted as a parting gift before an administrator is appointed to oversee a merger with either Dungog or Newcastle.
The mood was buoyant on Tuesday night but there was a strong sense of resignation of what may come.
"We've been given a forward program for a meeting next month but I'm of the understanding this is it," Cr Peter Kafer said.
No less than eight funding items were on the agenda and the mayor himself, Cr Bruce MacKenzie, remarked "this is getting embarrasing".
Cr Steve Tucker said it's “Christmas in July, a few days early".
The splash included $164,000 in grants to help individuals and groups host events and run programs to promote culture in Port Stephens.
These will be paid out of the Cultural Projects Fund, Aboriginal Projects Fund, Heritage Projects Fund, Environmental Projects Fund and the Community Projects Fund.
The mayor and councillors also approved the provision of more than $30,000 to community groups from the Mayoral and Ward Funds.
The first item it approved, right off the bat, was $43,400 in Heritage Project Funding.
"The staff have worked very hard over the years to create a finanically well-off council through its assets," Cr Ken Jordan said.
"As councillors here for the last four years we have been very fortunate to be able to distribute various grants and tonight is the culmination of this."
But the biggest splash came from the land sale at Tarrant Road, Salamander Bay.
It has facilitated a $660,000 investment in projects across East, West and Central wards.
This included $50,000 for accessible play equipment at Boomerang Park for children with a disability.
"I promised my wife I wouldn't get into any fights tonight... I want to leave on good terms," Cr Kafer said.
"This playground at Boomerang Park is just going to be the pinacle up there."
All of the councillors were eager to speak on the merits of various projects. Cr Sally Dover applauded a $25,000 sponsorship grant for a surf carnival and Cr John Morello was relieved to have $50,000 for Tomaree Sports Complex ammenities.
Cr Geoff Dingle welcomed nearly $15,000 in environmental projects while Cr Paul Lemotte congratulated the Aboriginal community on the receipt of $35,000 for seven projects.
Cr MacKenzie took aim at state and federal governments after the meeting, beneath the merger cloud.
"The community grants program and Mayoral and Ward Funds are what really sets local government apart from other tiers, and Port Stephens Council in particular places significant importance on being able to contribute to the community in this way," he said.
"What this funding does is allow people to take ownership of their own initiatives and projects, to create channels to interact with each other and create their own sense of identity and spirit of community."
