The Warrumbungle Shire Council has secured $2.45 million of Commonwealth Government funding towards the Three Rivers Regional Retirement Community Project located in Dunedoo.
Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton was pleased to announce this project as one of four projects across his electorate that will receive funding under Round Two of the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF).
“I am very happy that four of the 111 projects that will be funded under the latest round of the NSRF are based in my electorate of Parkes,” Mr Coulton said.
In Dunedoo today, Mr Coulton met with Warrumbungle Shire Council’s Deputy Mayor, Murray Coe and Cr Chris Sullivan at the old Dunedoo Hospital site where the project is set to become a reality.
The Three Rivers Regional Retirement Community Project aims to:
- Develop social housing in a retirement community setting in Dunedoo for older people;
- Meet current and forecast demand for age appropriate housing for older people in the region that complements existing aged care services;
- Redevelop a disused and neglected State Government asset to enhance the entrance to Dunedoo and support the revitalisation of the local economy; and
- Establish infrastructure for the Three Rivers Agricultural Learning Centre.
In addition to the project aims, Mr Coulton believes that the project will also benefit the broader Dunedoo district.
“A project of this magnitude will not only improve community infrastructure but it will also boost local jobs and, in turn, boost Dunedoo’s economy,” Mr Coulton said.
“This project has been identified as priority infrastructure by the local community and rightly so.
“There is a huge need for better aged care facilities right across my electorate and it is fantastic that Dunedoo is taking the lead on this front.”
The total project cost for the Three Rivers Regional Retirement Community is $7.2 million.
The National Stronger Regions Fund is delivering $1 billion over five years to promote economic growth and address disadvantage in Australia’s regions.
More information on the National Stronger Regions Fund, including a full list of successful Round Two projects and details on the application process, is available online at www.infrastructure.gov.au/nsrf