Photo caption: Coonamble Shire Council General Manager Hein Basson and Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton inspect the new carpark at the recently-opened Coonamble Visitor Information and Exhibition Centre. The carpark was funded under the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program.
Upgrades to roads across the Coonamble Shire are among a number of projects currently rolling out thanks to a multi-million dollar Federal Government investment which is creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton this week met with Coonamble Shire Council General Manager Hein Basson to discuss how the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) funding is benefitting the shire.
“Coonamble Shire Council received $929,818 under the first phase of the LRCI program and an additional $723,922 in Phase 2, so it’s fantastic to see a number of projects charging ahead using these funds,” Mr Coulton said.
“The new driveway and carpark at Coonamble Visitor Information Centre looks fantastic, while the construction of a toilet facility at Quambone and the upgrades to Coonamble Aerodrome and a number of local roads will make a significant difference for locals and visitors to the shire.
“This is exactly the type of work the Federal Government is pleased to support – to create local job opportunities, while delivering lasting benefits.
“The LRCI program has proven to be a huge success for our local communities, with councils able to use these funds for projects that they otherwise wouldn’t have the capacity to undertake.”
General Manager Hein Basson said Coonamble Shire Council and residents appreciate the flexibility given to councils in allocating funding through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure grants towards specific priorities of Council’s operational and strategic plans.
“This program allows us to achieve some balance between maintenance of our local roads and the delivery of components of community infrastructure that are strategic priorities,” Mr Basson said.
“Funding under this grant program provides tremendous benefits, such as our project for the installation of a culvert at Euronne Gully on the Quambone Road, which will give all-weather access between Coonamble and Quambone that is currently cut during flood events.”
In the 2021–22 Budget, the Australian Government announced a $1 billion extension of the LRCI program, following strong community and local government support, including an additional $1,859,636 for Coonamble Shire Council under Phase 3. This extension brings the total LRCI funding allocation for Coonamble Shire Council to $3,513,376.
Local projects approved under Phase 1 of the LRCI program include:
- Resealing the runway, line marking and fencing at Coonamble Aerodrome – $218,000
- Back Gular Road reforming and re-sheeting – $160,000
- Wingadee Road reforming and re-sheeting – $100,000
- Wingadee Road reforming and re-sheeting – $111,818
- Rehabilitation of 40 metres of damaged shoulder on SR87 Box Ridge Road – $100,000
- Quambone toilet facility – $60,000
- Carinda Road patching and culvert repairs – $80,000
- Quabathoo Road cement causeway replacement – $100,000
Phase 2 projects include:
- Construction of a new sealed driveway and carpark at Coonamble Visitor Information and Exhibition Centre – $45,000
- Box Ridge Road reconstruction 3.04km to 4.04km from the intersection with the Castlereagh Highway – $320,000
- Installation of culverts and road rehabilitation at Euronne Gully on the Quambone Road – $280,000
- Replacement of the concrete causeway on Quabathoo Road 3.32km to 3.34km from the intersection with Carinda Road – $63,922
- Stabilisation of the unsealed causeway at Sandy Camp Road 7.01km to 7.51km from the intersection with Merri Merri Road – $15,000
