The Bourke Pastoral and Agricultural Association Incorporated has been successful in securing funding from the Commonwealth Government to undertake much needed upgrades of amenities at the Bourke Showground.
Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton today announced $20,000 for the Bourke Pastoral and Agricultural Association through Round 2 of the Coalition Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).
Mr Coulton said that the Bourke Showground Amenities Upgrade project fulfils the intention the Coalition’s SCP.
“The purpose of this programme is to improve local community participation and cohesion whilst contributing to vibrant and viable communities,” Mr Coulton said.
“The Bourke Showground is utilised by a wide range of community groups and an upgrade of the showground’s amenities is essential to ensure that these groups continue to benefit from this iconic local resource.”
Mr Coulton is a passionate advocate of the Stronger Communities Programme and was overwhelmed by the community response he received for both Round 1 and now Round 2 from right across the federal electorate of Parkes.
“For a long time I felt there was a need for greater support for incorporated not-for-profit and local government organisations to help build and maintain small infrastructure projects that would benefit our local communities,” Mr Coulton said.
“The fact that my office received over 160 expressions of interests for projects under Rounds 1 and 2 of this programme certainly confirms my belief that there is a need for this type of funding and I am extremely pleased to be able to help do something about it.
“Our local volunteer organisations such as the Bourke Pastoral and Agricultural Association are pivotal to our community’s identities and this programme certainly goes some way to supporting them and the terrific work they do.”
