Photo Caption: Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (right) at the Bogan Shire Medical Centre in Nyngan with (L-R) Bogan Shire Council General Manager Derek Francis, Deputy Mayor Glen Neill, Director People and Community Services Debb Wood and Practice Manager Jemeil Wallis.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has thrown his support behind the Bogan Shire Medical Centre in Nyngan, with a $350,218 grant that will fund further extensions to the facility.

The funds are being delivered under the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), and are in addition to existing Federal Government funds for the facility including $611,432 through the former National Stronger Regions Fund and further funding under the Drought Communities Programme.

Mr Coulton, who was in Nyngan last week, said providing access to quality healthcare for rural and regional residents of his electorate was a high priority.

“It was terrific to visit the Bogan Shire Medical Centre and see firsthand what a great difference stage two of extension works will make to the facility, thanks to this grant,” Mr Coulton said.

“Works will include additional consulting rooms, a nurses’ room, pathology room, waiting area, toilet and paved walkways which will all help to enhance the facilities for the benefit of both staff and patients.

“This grant has been awarded under the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), which is all about strengthening the local economy and delivering lasting benefits to communities such as Nyngan.

“I’m thrilled that under the latest round, the Orana and Western Plains region stands to benefit from more than $8 million in grants.

“This project will have a hugely positive impact on the local community here in Nyngan, and I look forward to returning once works are complete.”

Mr Coulton was joined by Bogan Shire Council General Manager Derek Francis, Deputy Mayor Glen Neill, Director People and Community Services Debb Wood and Practice Manager Jemeil Wallis to tour the facility.

Bogan Shire Council Mayor Ray Donald said the extended facility will be an asset to the shire.

“We have more than 3,200 people registered as patients at the medical centre,” Cr Donald said.

“Stage two of works will help ensure that through the presence of quality health services, the Bogan Shire remains a safe and attractive place for people to live.

“We thank the Federal Government and our local MP Mark Coulton for helping us to secure this important funding.”

For a full list of successful projects under BBRF Round 4, please visit www.business.gov.au/bbrf

Bogan Shire Council also received an additional $1 million under the most recent round of the Drought Communities Programme (DCP) – Extension, and is allocating part of this funding to community infrastructure upgrades, including works at the Bogan Shire Medical Centre.

The DCP – Extension has provided funding of $2 million each to every local council in the Parkes electorate. Further details are available at www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Drought-Communities-Programme-Extension.