Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and Gwydir Shire Mayor John Coulton pictured at the Warialda Memorial Pool, which has been allocated $260,000 in funding for renovations and improvements.
The Australian Government is investing $2,364,448 million in priority projects in Gwydir Shire Council, supporting local jobs and to help the community bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Made possible under the third phase of the Australian Government’s $2.5 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program, projects to be delivered in the Parkes electorate by Gwydir Shire Council include:
- $180,000 for the constructions of bicycle and walking paths as part of the Warialda Footpath Program
- $83,523 for the construction of stage 2 of the Reedy Creek Access Road Warialda
- $88,139 for the construction of stage 1 of the Reedy Creek footpath
- $83,338 for stage 2 of the Warialda Street Tree Upgrade
- $260,000 for pool renovations and visual improvements at the Warialda Memorial Pool
- $135,000 for the North Star Hall restumping
- $50,000 for landscaping improvements at the Gravesend Recreation Reserve
- $110,000 for the construction of toilet block amenities at Warialda Rail
- $514,148 for the creation of a park in the Warialda CBD
- $80,300 for accessibility upgrades and improvements to the toilet block amenities at the Warialda Gym
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the funding provides the opportunity for Gwydir Shire Council to complete a number of key projects that will provide lasting benefits.
“With the challenges presented by COVID-19, bushfires, floods and the drought, the past couple of years have been tough for communities, businesses and local councils,” Mr Coulton said.
“That’s why we have moved quickly to approve funding for these nine projects in the Gwydir Shire, paving the way for shovels to hit the dirt to make them a reality.
“This will provide a vital boost for the Gwydir Shire, backing local jobs and economic growth while delivering important projects that will benefit residents for years to come.”
Gwydir Shire Mayor John Coulton said Phase 3 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program is seeing valuable projects completed right across the entire Gwydir Shire Council region from landscaping improvements at the Gravesend Recreation Reserve, right up to the north of the Shire where the North Star Hall is being restumped.
“The benefits of this funding have been widespread and welcomed by so many in our community,” Cr Coulton said.
“Warialda has a strong sporting culture and has nurtured many great sports men and women. Just recently 12 Warialda Public School children were selected to represent the New England and Northwest region at State for swimming.
“The Warialda Swimming Pool is an important community asset that helps facilitate this achievement.
“Phase 3 of the LRCI program includes funding for upgrades to the pool, ensuring it is maintained to a high standard and continues to provide our community with a top-class facility that fosters a love of swimming.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said $1 billion in funding is flowing under the third phase of the LRCI program to local councils across Australia to improve their local road networks and deliver priority community infrastructure projects.
“This builds on the $1.5 billion already approved to deliver more than 6,100 projects nationwide under the first two phases of the program,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This program is having a significant impact across the country, with more than 2,000 projects already complete or under construction – delivering upgrades to local roads, bike paths, community halls, playgrounds, parks and sports facilities, as well as improved accessibility to public facilities.
“Phase 3 will build on this, delivering more jobs, more economic stimulus, and more of the local priority projects that communities need and deserve.”
Assistant Minister for Local Government Kevin Hogan said the program forms part of the Liberal and Nationals unwavering commitment to back local councils and their communities through COVID-19 and secure a stronger future out the other side of the pandemic.
“We want to deliver the best outcomes for locals under this program, which is why we have listened and acted on council feedback, providing a longer delivery window for local governments to pursue larger, more complex projects that may be a higher priority and have a bigger impact on the community,” Assistant Minister Hogan said.
“We also get councils to use local businesses and workforces to deliver these projects as much as possible, ensuring this stimulus flows directly into the hands of hard-working Aussies, their families, their businesses and their communities.
“I look forward to seeing more projects get underway and supporting jobs and communities at this critical time.”
For more information on the $2.5 billion LRCI program, including the allocations for the $1 billion third phase, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/local-roads-and-community-infrastructure/.