McCORMACK DELIVERS $1.8 MILLION TO BEAUTIFY HARDEN-MURRUMBURRAH’S MURRIMBOOLA CREEK

Murrimboola Creek at Harden-Murrumburrah will be beautified thanks to a $1.8 million funding injection delivered by the Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

The $1,836,446 in new funding comes as part of a $207 million investment under Round 4 of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s highly successful Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Mr 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 Murrimboola Creek project would deliver much-needed economic growth and local jobs for the local community.

“This funding through the latest round of the Building Better Regions Program will go towards revitalising the Murrimboola Creek Precinct,” Mr McCormack said.

“I am proud to be able to deliver $1,836,446 to the Harden-Murrumburrah community for this worthwhile project.

“The timing of this project could not be more critical as the region looks to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and attract tourists back to our beautiful part of the world.”

Hilltops Mayor, Councillor Brian Ingram, welcomed the news of the funding for the upgrade.

“This is fantastic news for Hilltops and especially the Harden-Murrumburrah community. This funding will unlock the Murrimboola Creek precinct as a key recreation corridor for the community and a major attraction for visitors to the area,” Cr Ingram said.

“I thank the Federal Government for their support of the project.”

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

Shane Manning