$21 million for Parkes electorate projects
During the week I was joined by the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack to announce a $1.8 billion boost for road and community projects through councils across Australia.
Councils in the Parkes electorate will receive more than $21 million in new funding, as part of the package.
The investment will support local jobs and businesses, and boost local economies struggling with the effects of COVID-19.
It includes the establishment of a new $500 million Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program, and the bringing forward of $1.3 billion of the 2020-21 Financial Assistance Grant payment.
The new Program is based on the successful Roads to Recovery program and will enable local councils to deliver priority projects with a focus on upgrades and maintenance to local roads and community infrastructure.
Not only will this package support jobs, construction businesses and the economy across the region, it will improve our local roads, and provide for new and upgraded amenities to help communities stay connected.
Local road projects to be delivered under the Program include, but are not limited to, constructing or improving bridges and tunnels, street lighting, and heavy vehicle facilities such as rest areas.
FRRR community cash injection
Last week I was pleased to announce that seven community projects in my electorate will share in nearly $1.5 million of Government funding under the Tackling Tough Times Together program.
These projects represent a $230,000 funding injection for communities at Boggabri, Condobolin, Dunedoo, Mungery, Narrabri, Mungindi and Tibooburra.
The Tackling Tough Times Together program has a range of benefits, including keeping money flowing through our shops and suppliers, and creating jobs for communities which have been impacted by drought.
In my electorate, projects to be funded range from the fit-out of a second studio at Narrabri’s community radio station, to support for early childhood program costs at Mungindi, right through to investing in community assets at Tibooburra.
The Government is pleased to support the Foundation’s crucial work of stimulating regional economies while strengthening social connections in these country communities.
Well done to the recipients in my electorate – I look forward to seeing the projects up and running.
Volunteers rewarded
Volunteering has a strong presence throughout the Parkes electorate – whether it be helping out with local sporting teams and land care groups, responding to natural disasters and emergencies, or helping local charities to support some of our most disadvantaged people.
That’s why I was so pleased to share the news that volunteers in the Parkes electorate will be rewarded with a $64,800 funding boost to local community groups, under a new round of the Federal Government’s Volunteer Grants program.
While the work of our volunteers may be unpaid, it is not unrecognised.
From fighting bushfires, delivering food to vulnerable Australians in isolation and helping out with weekend sport, you are all local champions.
These are small grants with a big impact – the Baradine Campdraft Association, Coonamble Meals on Wheels, and Tibooburra and District Progress Association are just a few examples from the great list of local recipients which I know will do wonderful work with this funding.
Full details are available on my website at markcoulton.com.au/media
