McCORMACK DELIVERS MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR BOOST TO WAGGA WAGGA’S BOTANIC GARDENS
Wagga Wagga’s Botanic Gardens will be further beautified through nearly $4.3 million in funding delivered by the Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.
The $4,288,879 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.
“The Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens is one of the most visited places in all of the Riverina,” Mr McCormack said.
“This well-deserved funding will go towards renewal works at the precinct, including construction of a new exhibition hall, museum refurbishment and an upgrade to public outdoor spaces.”
Further to the funding to the Botanic Gardens, $44,765 in funding has been delivered to Destination Riverina Murray for its “Destination Inspiration and Activation Program”, which will deliver five tourism business support events across the Riverina-Murray region and mentor up to 15 participants.
“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,” Mr McCormack said.
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