COWRA COMMUNITY TO BENEFIT FROM BUILDING BETTER REGIONS FUND, SAYS McCORMACK
Two worthy projects in Cowra will receive $40,000 in funding as part of a $207 million investment under the Liberal and Nationals Government’s highly successful Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).
Member for Riverina, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack was at Wagga Wagga’s Botanic Gardens this morning to make the national announcement of the 163 successful projects across drought-affected regional communities.
Mr McCormack said the funding for the Cowra projects came under the BBRF’s Round 4 Community Investments Stream and would deliver much-needed economic growth and local jobs for the local community.
“The Cowra Shire Council will receive $20,000 to deliver a series of workshops and performances which will use performing arts to focus on improving rural mental health,” Mr McCormack said.
“The other $20,000 will go towards installing a solar system at the Yalballinga Boori Community Centre.
“Whilst these projects are on the smaller scale of funding, they are no less important to the members of the local community who I am sure will greatly appreciate both of these projects.”
The Riverina and Central West has benefited from more than $26 million throughout the lifespan of the BBRF.
“Regional Australians have endured the devastating effects of a prolonged drought which has affected communities across the country for many years,” Mr McCormack said.
“In addition, regional Australia has withstood one of the most devastating bushfire seasons, floods and now a global pandemic – to say they’ve been hit hard in recent times, is an understatment.
“Their resilience will lead Australia’s recovery through grass-roots projects – creating jobs, boosting local economies and growing confidence in regional communities as a great place to live, work and invest.
“BBRF projects strengthen our local economies and drive much-needed local procurement, with thousands of jobs expected to be supported throughout regional Australia – delivering career pathways and enabling people to stay in the very communities they grew up in.”
Riverina electorate projects which have received funding under the latest round of the BBRF:
Building Better Regions Fund Infrastructure Projects Stream – Round 4
Recipient: Hilltops Council
Project: Murrimboola Creek Beautification
Federal Funding: $1,836,446
Recipient: Wagga Wagga City Council
Project: Botanic Gardens Precinct Renewal
Federal Funding: $4,288,879
Building Better Regions Fund Community Investments Stream – Round 4
Recipient: Cowra Shire Council
Project: Word: using performing arts to focus on improving rural mental health
Federal Funding: $20,000
Recipient: Destination Riverina Murray
Project: Destination Inspiration and Activation
Federal Funding: $44,765
Recipient: Yalballinga Boori Day Care Centre
Project: Solar infrastructure
Federal Funding: $20,000
Funding under previous rounds of BBRF in the Riverina electorate:
Building Better Regions Fund Infrastructure Projects Stream – Round 3
Recipient: Cowra Japanese Gardens and Cultural Centre
Project: Upgrading roofs of the cultural centre and bonsai house
Federal Funding: $307,442
Recipient: Forbes Shire Council
Project: New commercial precinct over five locations (new gardens and green spaces, upgrading signs, new banners, line-marking bike stands, new seats
Federal Funding: $867,241
Recipient: Temora Shire Council
Project: Upgrade Temora aerodrome runway and associated main apron and taxiways
Federal Funding: $5,353,151
Building Better Regions Fund Community Investments Stream – Round 3
Recipient: Bland Shire Council
Project: Bland Shire Council Business Workshop Program
Federal Funding: $18,170
Recipient: Matriark Theatre Inc
Project: The Secret World: Cootamundra, a night festival hosted by young people
Federal Funding: $15,000
Building Better Regions Fund Infrastructure Projects Stream – Round 2
Recipient: Cowra Shire Council
Project: Upgrade Kendal Street footpath between Brisbane and Lachlan streets
Federal Funding: $829,619
Recipient: Parkes Shire Council
Project: Parkes main street revitalisation and Cooke Park multi-purpose centre
Federal Funding: $4,234,992
Recipient: Whiddon Group, Temora
Project: Extension of the Whiddon Group’s Temora Aged Care facility
Federal Funding: $3,685,009
Building Better Regions Fund Community Investments Stream – Round 2
Recipient: Destination Riverina Murray Ltd
Project: Riverina Murray Tourism Accelerator Program
Federal Funding: $25,000
Building Better Regions Fund Infrastructure Projects Stream – Round 1
Recipient: Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Project: New sewage treatment works at Gundagai
Federal Funding: $3,500,000
Recipient: House With No Steps – Forbes
Project: Relocate Aussie Biscuits factory to a larger location
Federal Funding: $210,000
Recipient: Weddin Shire Council
Project: Grenfell Medical Centre
Federal Funding: $950,000
Building Better Regions Fund Community Investments Stream – Round 1
Recipient: Coolamon Shire Council
Project: Launch pads and modular pumptrack
Federal Funding: $45,800
Recipient: Eastern Riverina Arts
Project: Community arts venues audit and database
Federal Funding: $19,350
Recipient: Forbes Shire Council
Project: Agriculture Strategic Plan
Federal Funding: $70,000
Recipient: Wagga Wagga City Council
Project: Fusion Festival sustainability study
Federal Funding: $18,400
Total BBRF funding (Rounds 1 to 4): $26,359,264