Council approved Shoalhaven Community Transport’s request to use their 2017-2018 financial year donation amount of $9,985 for the purchase of a new bus.

All councillors spoke positively about the service that allows elderly people, people with disabilities, and disadvantaged people to attend crucial appointments.

“My own mother was a recipient of community transport,” Cr Annette Alldrick said.

“When she was dying of cancer we were taking her to medical appointments twice a week.

“I didn’t know about the service, and when we realised it was there it helped us out a little bit in a very difficult time.”

However, Cr Mitchell Pakes who voted in favour of the $9,985 grant for a new bus, said it was unfair to do so, and then at the same meeting, defer funding requests from two Men’s Sheds.

“We're happy to stand here and speak about one community group's fantastic work and yet we want to say that other community groups aren’t as deserving of donations,” Cr Pakes said.

“These community groups built these sheds without a cent from council, and we're charging them to use a block of dirt that council owns.”

The Men’s Sheds pay a subsidised rate, less than $500 in rent, and were asking council to waive the fee.