Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said seven community projects across his electorate will share in nearly $1.5 million of Government funding under the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s Tackling Tough Times Together program.
Mr Coulton said the 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,” Mr Coulton said.
“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.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said rural and regional Australia is continuing to show amazing spirit and resilience as they support each other through these tough times.
“Large parts of regional Australia have received some good rainfall over the past few months, with many farmers having the best start to the winter sowing season in years, but the drought is far from over,” Mr McCormack said.
“We are absolutely committed to standing side by side with these hard-working communities – whether it’s through drought, the recent bushfires or the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am glad to see these grants providing much-needed support to our hard-hit regional communities at such a crucial time, with this latest round of funding to be delivered to community groups.”
More information on the Tackling Tough Times Together program and the latest round of recipients can be found on the Foundation’s website at www.frrr.org.au/grants/TTTT
Parkes electorate recipients – FRRR Tackling Tough Times Together – Round 16
| Town | Recipient | Project title/Details | FRRR grant amount | Total project cost |
| Boggabri | Boggabri and Districts Historical Society | Installation of vinyl cladding
Increase comfort and reduce ongoing maintenance of Boggabri Men’s Shed and Museum buildings through recladding – to be completed by early 2021. |
$35,120 | $35,120 |
| Condobolin | Condobolin and District Landcare Management Committee | Recovery Festival
Strengthening local communities by providing a platform to drive economic growth, social cohesion and cultural identity through delivery of a free Festival at Condobolin – April 2021. |
$60,000 | $100,965 |
| Dunedoo | Dunedoo Bowling Club Ltd | Air conditioning replacement
Increase comfort and amenity of meeting area in drought affected community through air conditioning upgrade at Dunedoo Bowling Club – to be completed by July 2020. |
$34,100 | $39,600 |
| Mungery | Mungery Recreation Reserve Land Manager | Mungery Skillion
Enhance and repair local meeting place that supports the delivery of community events and activities that increase local connectedness and reduce isolation – to be completed by end 2020. |
$20,000 | $38,000 |
| Narrabri | Narrabri Shire Community Radio | Fit out of a second studio
Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the fit out of a second radio studio at Narrabri Shire Community Radio – to be completed by August 2020. |
$11,000 | $13,089 |
| Mungindi | Mungindi Community Preschool | Optimal Start for Parched Children
Continued delivery of early childhood education regardless of low enrolments in Mungindi through support for program costs, until December 2021. |
$60,000 | $196,921 |
| Tibooburra | Tibooburra & District Progress Association | Outback Lock-Up
Reduce volunteer fatigue and increase organisational capacity through the provision of two shipping containers at the community Albert Hall and Cemetery – to be completed by September 2020. |
$10,500 | $14,644 |
