The Liberals and Nationals investing in projects to build a better Darwin
Darwin will benefit from over $90,000 of funding under Round 3 of the Federal Coalition Government’s highly successful Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
Country Liberals Senator for the Northern Territory, Nigel Scullion, and CLP Candidate for Solomon, Kathy Ganley, said the CLP’s investment in two Darwin projects under Round 3 will help grow the economy and build a strong future for the Darwin region.
Senator Scullion said the City of Darwin council would use a $45,000 investment for the ‘Street to Art’ mural project, with six sites to be chosen for murals.
“This BBRF investment by the CLP will deliver a series of workshops and events to assist emerging Darwin mural artists to deliver commissioned street murals that will both showcase some amazing works and address some sites across Darwin that could benefit from the vibrancy and beautification murals provide,” Senator Scullion said.
“The Mindil Beach Sound Shell has been selected as one of the six sites with both sides of the sound shell to be used for the project, constituting two sites and requiring two artists’ work. I am pleased to see Indigenous artists will be able to showcase their skills with Larrakia Nation a partner in the project.
“The project will also include mentorship programs, art workshops and community events at the Darwin Fringe Festival and the Seabreeze Festival,” Senator Scullion said.
Mrs Ganley said St John Ambulance Australia (NT) Inc would receive a BBRF grant of $45,500 for their Thriving Culture: Staff and Volunteer Leadership Development Project.
“The Country Liberals are proud to back the important work St John Ambulance does to help save the lives of Territorians,” Mrs Ganley said.
“This CLP investment under the BBRF will help deliver a 12-month leadership program for St John NT’s 243 staff and volunteers aimed at building capacity through a whole-of-organisation approach.
“It is critical to note that Labor will stop funding BBRF and the Regional Growth Fund if they are elected and much needed community projects like these will no longer be delivered under a Shorten Labor Government.
“It is projects such as this St John NT project and the City of Darwin ‘Street to Art’ mural project that makes Darwin an even better place to live, work and raise a family. I’m excited to see the positive difference this funding will make to the community.”
City of Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said City of Darwin had initiated the ‘Street to Art’ program as part of their ongoing focus on revitalising and invigorating Darwin.
“These six murals across five different locations in our city will reflect our diversity and add colour and vibrancy. This grassroots program aims to support local and emerging artists adapt their skills to a larger scale on City of Darwin properties across the municipality,” Mayor Vatskalis said
St John NT Chief Executive Officer Judith Barker said she was extremely grateful for the funding which will help build and strengthen leadership skills among St John NT staff and volunteers.
“This is an investment not only in our people here at St John NT, but also in the greater community,” Ms Barker said.
“The funding will help our staff members and volunteers obtain new qualifications that will enable them to become strong leaders and role models for their peers and their community.
“And our volunteers will be taking their new skills back to their own workplaces – doubling the community benefits of this investment.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Coalition Government is committed to ensuring Australia’s regions remain strong, resilient and prosperous in the long term.
“We are supporting our regions through investing in important local infrastructure, as well as great community-building and planning initiatives under the Building Better Regions Fund and other Government priorities such as the Regional Growth Fund and our decentralisation agenda,” Mr McCormack said.
“In this round we are also investing more than $70 million in regional tourism infrastructure, to support those many regional communities that rely on tourism to bolster their economy.
“We have seen fantastic outcomes from the first two rounds, and today’s announcement continues our commitment to unlocking the economic potential of regional Australia and ensuring our regions continue to thrive.”