IT IS ‘COOL RUNNINGS’ FOR COOLAMON SHIRE AS CULTURAL CENTRE FEELS THE RHYTHM AND RHYME

Coolamon Shire Council is reaping the benefits of the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LCRIP), which will help enhance vital community assets such as the Shire’s Up-to-Date Cultural Centre.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Member for Riverina Michael McCormack visited the centre today – one of 19 LCRIP projects to be funded in the shire to date, totalling over $1.4 million in Federal support.

“Through the 2020-21 Budget, the Australian Government announced a $1 billion extension of the LCRIP to deliver exactly these types of local infrastructure upgrades, following strong community and local government support for the program,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“This program supports local councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, boosting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All councils will be able to access further funding under the LCRIP Extension from January 2021.”

Coolamon Shire Council Mayor John Seymour said this program has allowed Coolamon Shire Council to support local businesses and trades hit hard by the challenges bought to us in 2020.

“Projects such as the Up-to-Date Cultural Centre improvements have significant outcomes for the Coolamon Shire community,” Councillor Seymour said.

“This project will employ local tradespeople, increasing visitation and tourism spend and will ensure the history and heritage of our community is upheld into the future. 

“Any project that can have multifaceted benefits such as this, is worthy of investment.

“Council is excited to see so many valuable projects come to fruition under this funding stream.

“Now more than ever it is important for us to continue to support our local community. We see these projects as a significant opportunity to keep people in jobs and to see our community continue to thrive.”

The $187,445 Up-to-Date Cultural Centre project is fully funded by the Australian Government.

More information on LCRIP is available at https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/local-roads-community-infrastructure-program.

Shane Manning