Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has announced 15 projects in the Parkes electorate will share in more than $8 million in funding under the third round of the Federal Government’s Economic Development Program, including a $974,215 upgrade of the Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre.
Murray-Darling Basin communities in the Parkes electorate are set to benefit from more than $8 million in grants under the third round of the Coalition Government’s Economic Development Program.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton today announced 15 local projects have been awarded a grant under the program.
Mr Coulton said he was thrilled this significant cash injection will fund so many exciting projects in his electorate, such as a $974,215 upgrade of the Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre.
“Bourke Shire Council will use this funding to upgrade the popular Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre with new technology and information for a number of the key displays, which will help boost tourism and attract more visitors to the community,” Mr Coulton said.
“Other Basin towns impacted by the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, such as Brewarrina, Collarenebri, Mungindi, Warren and Walgett, will also benefit from this funding to help strengthen and diversify their local economies.
“Communities in the Parkes electorate have great ideas to grow and prosper and these grants will help get those plans off the ground, delivering innovative and practical projects that will have an enduring positive impact.
“Each of the projects selected to receive funding so far under Round 3 will help communities by using local suppliers and resources as well as through local knowledge to drive the best outcomes for our region.”
Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the 15 announced projects in the Parkes electorate were part of the ongoing announcements regarding Round 3 or the program.
“I will announce further successful projects to create new jobs in Murray–Darling Basin communities as these are approved and finalised,” Minister Pitt said.
“We are providing opportunities for Basin communities affected by the Murray–Darling Basin Plan to be at the heart of decisions on how to stimulate their economies.
“The approved projects will create new jobs as they are delivered as well as enduring employment opportunities, increase the capacity of communities to diversify and strengthen their local economies, and help them to manage their current and future economic challenges and changes.
“Across the Basin, people have been dealing with the biggest water reform in Australia’s history along with drought, demographic change and commodity price change.
“This funding recognises the pressures that many people in Basin’s rural and regional communities are under, and seeks to create new economic activity and job opportunities for impacted communities.”
Close to $39 million of funding has already been approved under Rounds 1 and 2 of the program for a huge array of activities throughout Murray-Darling Basin communities.
Successful recipients in the Parkes electorate:
• Wee Waa Community Complex Inc – Wee Waa Medical Professional Housing – $304,000
• Moree Plains Shire Council – Mungindi Business Revitalisation – $450,000
• Ozfish Unlimited Limited – River Repair Bus for Barwon Regional Area – $250,000
• Narromine Shire Council – Revitalisation and Activation Project – $600,000
• Warren Shire Council – Warren Showground Racecourse Improvement Program – $250,000
• Central Darling Shire Council – Victory Caravan Park Amenity Block Upgrade – $489,665
• Narrabri Shire Council – Business Improvement Program – $300,000
• West Darling Arts Inc – Menindee Film Hub – $192,357
• Warren Shire Council – Water Reservoirs and Grain Silos Murals – $250,000
• Warren Shire Council – Carter Oval Sports Lighting Project – $500,000
• Brewarrina Shire Council – Brewarrina Aboriginal Fishtraps Lookout & River Walk – $920,000
• Rural and Remote Medical Services Limited – Collarenebri Community Health Hub – $945,000
• Warren Shire Council – Monkeygar Creek Macquarie Marshes Bird Viewing Project – $500,000
• Bourke Shire Council – Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre Upgrade – $974,215
• Walgett Shire Council – Collarenebri Bore Bath – $920,124