COUNCIL has voted to spend more than $175,000 on community and cultural grants in its first meeting.

The Whitsunday Regional Council's biggest spending approval at last week's meeting was a $100,000 grant to restore the North Head Lighthouse in Bowen.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said the lighthouse in November this year would mark its 150th year since construction.

"Today, it is one of only two Queensland lighthouses that remain intact and on the original site, still displaying its unique aesthetic and design characteristics and giving us a valuable reminder of our region's history," he said.

"The North Head Lighthouse can also offer significant tourism potential and economic benefit for Bowen and the broader region."

Council also approved $58,000 in Community Assistance Grants.

This included a $20,000 grant for the Whitsunday Dirt Riders Inc and $5500 grants for the Bowen Football Association, Proserpine/Whitsunday Junior Rugby League Club and the Molongle Creek Boat Club.

Council approved $16,840 in Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants for artists and community organisations.

Both Art Whitsunday Inc and the Bowen Christian Outreach Centre received $4050 in funding. Andrew Pattinson (VAMPP Photography) and Top of the Range Catering Events & Management Pty Ltd both received a $3000 grant.

Council also agreed to donate $1422 to the Whitsunday VMR so the organisation could purchase an onboard computer and printer for its new rescue vessel.

The total cost of donations and grant approvals at last Wednesday's meeting came to $176,262.

Council also voted to waive event application fees for five community events - the Dingo Beach Whitfunday, Girudala's NAIDOC Celebrations, Airlie Beach Running Festival, Whitsunday Cruising Car Club Show and the Million Paws Walk.