‘WATTA’ CELEBRATION AS NEW COMMUNITY HALL OPENED

A new community hall to support the Wattamondara community has been officially opened with a grand opening celebration held at the weekend.

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said he was pleased $350,000 in Federal funding was delivered towards the $445,000 project, with the NSW Government contributing a further $108,929 to complete the build and furnish the premises.

“Wattamondara may be a small community but it deserves a dedicated space to hold events and to call its own and this $350,000 in Federal funding through the Drought Communities Programme has helped deliver a multipurpose space that Wattamondara can use for many generations to come,” Mr McCormack said

“I was pleased to deliver $2 million, when the Coalition was in Government, to the Cowra Shire Council, through this program, for it to put towards important community projects, including Wattamondara’s community hall which will be used for weddings and birthdays as well as providing a space for organisations to provide services, such as childcare and exercise classes.

“I was delighted to visit Wattamondara in May 2019 when the funding for the community hall was announced and to inspect progress in April last year.”

Mr McCormack said the Drought Communities Programme provided much-needed financial support to the communities which needed it most.

Other projects delivered through the Drought Communities Programme to the Cowra Shire, include:

  • Kendal Street footpath upgrade;

  • Presentation of six Women’s Health and six Men’s Health ‘Inspire Evenings’ designed to bring specialist presenters to Cowra Shire to address health issues;

  • Community canteen at the Cowra Showground

  • Walking paths, installation of seating and tables and completion of the Memorial Entrance at the Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Park;

  • Woodstock Showground improvements including kitchen;

  • Morongla Showground improvements including main hall roof replacement, fencing and 5,000L water tank;

  • 10-week resilience program for Wyangala, Morongla, Gooloogong and Woodstock;

  • Redevelopment of the Cowra Rugby Club changerooms and construction of a multi-purpose gymnasium;

  • Refurbishment of the Billimari Hall;

  • Installation of solar lighting, and underground watering system, revitalisation of the Memorial Wall area and development of a children’s bike training circuit at Europa Park, Cowra;

  • Repairs and improvements at the Morongla Showground including maintenance to the canteen and installation of a mobile phone repeater facility;

  • Upgrade of facilities at the Cowra Showground Pavilion;

  • Activation of the Cowra to Holmwood Tourist Railway for heritage steam train operations (six kilometres of track);

  • Fit out of toilet facilities at the Japanese Garden Café;

  • Installation of a community kitchen at the Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre; and

  • Construction of a disabled/ambulant amenities block at Woodstock Soldiers Memorial Park

Shane Manning