$1 MILLION FOR HILLTOPS COUNCIL PROJECTS TO FIGHT DROUGHT

Improvements to the Harden swimming pool, a public address system at the Boorowa Rotunda and new kerb and guttering and a pathway at Young are among $1 million worth of community infrastructure projects to be funded by the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme (DCP) in the Hilltops Council area.

Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Member for Hume and Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Federal Government had approved six projects submitted by Council.

Mr McCormack said the projects would not only create jobs for locals but would also deliver lifestyle improvements for residents, put money into the cash registers of businesses and make Hilltops more attractive for visitors.

“Thankfully, drought conditions have eased and we are looking forward to a great harvest, but rural and regional communities such as Hilltops still need support to get back on their feet after the long dry,” Mr McCormack said.

“As a Federal Government we have always said we would have the backs of farmers during and after the drought and we are meeting that commitment.

Mr Taylor said he knew how hard this drought had been and the impact it has had on so many people.

“The Government will always stand beside farmers and those in rural communities and provide the support they need,” Mr Taylor said.

“These six projects will not only provide much needed facilities to these communities but also support local jobs and business and put more money in local pockets.”

Mr McCormack said the development of an adverse events plan by Council was a positive project because, as shown by last summer’s bushfires, the long drought and now the COVID-19 pandemic, good planning can mitigate the effects of these disasters.

News of the approval follows June’s announcement that Hilltops Council would receive $1.77 million in extra infrastructure spending through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. The Federal Government is also delivering $1.8 million to Council through the Building Better Regions Fund for the Murrimboola Creek Beautification project at Harden-Murrumburrah.

Hilltops Mayor, Councillor Brian Ingram, welcomed approval of the DCP projects and thanked Mr McCormack and Mr Taylor for their support.

“It is greatly appreciated because Local Government does not have the capacity to raise this type of funding to undertake infrastructure the scale of these projects,” Cr Ingram said.

“We will endeavour to use as many local tradespeople as we can on the DCP projects and get them under way as soon as possible.”

HILLTOPS REGIONAL COUNCIL DROUGHT COMMUNITIES PROGRAM APPROVED PROJECTS

  • Renewal and reconfiguration of the Harden Pool amenities building;

  • Installation of a permanent, all-weather, tamper-proof public address system at the Boorowa Rotunda;

  • Construction of new kerb and guttering along Nea Street, Young;

  • Construction of a concrete pathway between Thornhill Street to Milo Street in the Burrangong Creek Precinct;

  • Engagement of local contractors to undertake a weed control program including weed spraying on roadsides and reserves throughout the local government area;

  • Installation of four new public access bulk water standpipes at Young, Harden and Boroowa; and

  •   Development of an Adverse Events Plan.

ENDS