Photo Caption (L-R): Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt, Mayor of Bourke Shire Council Barry Hollman, Mayor of Brewarrina Shire Council Phillip O’Connor and Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton at today’s announcement in Bourke.

Bourke and Brewarrina Shire Councils will share in an economic boost of $900,000 from the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program, with the announcement of a new cash injection to fund local projects.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said the Bourke Shire Council will receive a grant of $450,000 to upgrade the Bourke Olympic Swimming Pool.

“This project will see a new water filtration plant at the pool that will not only create water savings of 2.5 to 3 megalitres of water a year, but will also provide Bourke residents with access to improved facilities in a region with temperatures well in excess of 40^oC in summer months,” he said.

“This Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program grant is aimed at helping rural and regional communities.

“This second round of grants, valued at $15 million, is even more important given the effects drought, bushfires, and now COVID-19 are having on our communities.”

Minister Pitt added that the Brewarrina Shire Council will also receive $450,000 to construct a small museum at the Brewarrina Visitor Centre and to install wi-fi hubs in the main street.

Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton said he was thrilled Bourke and Brewarrina had received the funds to revitalise local community assets and help bring more visitors to the region.

“The upgrade of the Bourke swimming pool will increase the attraction of the town to families looking to work and live here and also encourage tourists to extend their stays,” Mr Coulton said.

“Likewise, wi-fi hubs in the main street of Brewarrina will go a long way to increase the amenity of the town, as will improvements at the local visitor centre.

“It’s no secret that communities in Western New South Wales have great ideas to secure prosperous futures for themselves – this cash represents an important helping hand to get those plans off the ground and deliver exciting benefits for the entire community.

“Our government is getting behind communities with these grants and I congratulate both Bourke and Brewarrina Shire Councils for generating these innovative and practical projects that will have an enduring positive impact.”

More than $3.4 million in grants has been committed to the Parkes electorate under Round 2. To find out more and for a full list of projects funded in round 2 of the Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Program visit the website.

 

Town/Recipient	Grant amount	Project details
Bourke Bourke Shire Council	$450,000	Bourke Olympic Swimming Pool Upgrade: To help upgrade the Olympic swimming pool for the residents of Bourke and surrounding regions and encourage tourism.
Brewarrina Brewarrina Shire Council	$450,000	Outback Technology Hub and Museum: To construct a small museum at the Brewarrina Visitor Centre and to install wi-fi hubs in the main street, with benefits to locals and tourists.