MORE THAN $10 MILLION IN SECURED FOR RIVERINA AND CENTRAL WEST TO DELIVER COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is welcoming more than $10 million in funding under the Growing Regions Program which will deliver new community infrastructure in Wagga Wagga, Cowra and Parkes.

“I’m really pleased the communities of Wagga Wagga, Cowra and Parkes will be receiving a share in more than $10 million to support the development of local community and economic infrastructure,” Mr McCormack said.

“Wagga Wagga City Council is set to receive $4,493,776 to develop the Lake Albert Water Sports and Event Precinct, part of which will include the remediation of the foreshore, the installation of pumps and pipes as well as upgrades to the existing Lake Albert weir and spillway system.

“This project is absolutely vital and I was pleased to support Council in its endeavours to secure funding for it.

“Wagga Wagga Mayor Cr Dallas Tout described the funding as ‘fantastic’ and it is hoped, with this investment, infrastructure will be put in place to mitigate the risk of blue-green algae outbreaks — and I know this is something that has been long called-for by the community.

“We saw just on the weekend how important a clean, full lake is; with the staging of the Barry Carne Memorial Interstate Ski Race Challenge with visitors from near and far enjoying the best the lake has to offer.

“I want to see families enjoying the lake, participating in water sports as they once did and using it to its full potential as a hub for community events.”

“I’m also pleased to see Cowra Shire Council will be allocated $4,890,218 to rebuild the Cowra Aquatic Centre.

“It was well known that the facility was ageing and damaged; and Council just didn’t have the money available to deliver any upgrades.

“When I told Mayor Cr Ruth Fagan about the funding, she was absolutely ecstatic.”

Mayor Fagan said Cowra Shire Council had been “waiting for the funding for so long” and that it was “so exciting” to see the funding finally delivered.

“Similarly, Parkes Shire Council Mayor Cr Neil Westcott described the $943,738 secured for bird-hides and boardwalks in the Parkes Wetlands as ‘wonderful news’,” Mr McCormack said.

“I’m really looking forward to the Boardwalks and Bird hides: Elevating Parkes Wetlands project to support habitat creation and promote tourism at the wetlands.”

The Parkes Wetlands are situated on the site of the town’s old sewage treatment plant maturation ponds and were finally converted into wetlands in August 2023, thanks in part to the Former Liberal and National Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

“I’m always interested to see innovative uses of defunct facilities, particularly when land can be reclaimed for environmental purposes that benefit the whole community as well as ecological diversity,” Mr McCormack said.

“This new funding under the Growing Regions Program will take the wetlands to the next level.

“I look forward to seeing works for these projects getting under way and I eagerly await the time when the community can start to benefit from them.”