Eight community projects across the Parkes electorate will share in $424,000 of funding under the latest round of the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s (FRRR) Tackling Tough Times Together program.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the Federal Government was pleased to support the Foundation’s crucial work of stimulating regional economies in areas impacted by drought, particularly given the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Tackling Tough Times Together program has a range of benefits, including keeping money flowing through shops and suppliers and creating jobs,” Mr Coulton said.
“This is a timely injection of funds for communities in my electorate, with the drought and now COVID-19 having a far-reaching impact on small business, the local economy and community morale more generally.
“There is a range of fantastic projects to be directly funded by the Federal Government under this round, including construction of the Sunset Strip Boulevard Walk of Fame in Far West New South Wales thanks to a $142,897 grant, and the purchase of a 12-seater bus to transport youth around the Lachlan Shire to work and other activities with $60,000 in funding.
“I’m so pleased all eight of these projects have received the tick of approval, and I’m excited to see the benefits they will all bring to their local communities.
“I encourage all eligible groups to apply for the ongoing funding available under the Tackling Tough Times Together program to make their much-needed initiatives a reality.”
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
For project-specific quotes from Mr Coulton, please see below.
Background:
The Government’s $15 million funding assistance to the Tackling Tough Times Together program has supported hundreds of projects run by local groups in drought-affected regional communities that build social cohesion, reduce social isolation, develop local capacity and leadership skills, address disadvantage, stimulate economic activity or increase educational participation.
Parkes electorate funding details – Tackling Tough Times Together Round 17
Federal Government funded grants
| Recipient | Project Details | Grant Awarded | Total Project Cost |
| Sunset Strip Progress Association Inc | Sunset Strip Boulevard Walk of Fame – Films and Stars of Outback Australia
Support local economic strength and renewal through the construction of the Sunset Strip Boulevard Walk of Fame to increase tourism numbers. |
$142,897 | $318,177 |
| Curban Community Hall/Gilgandra Shire Council | Curban Community Hall enhancements
Improve local meeting space and increase community capacity through installation of audio-visual equipment and upgrade to outdoor BBQ area. |
$33,463 | $42,523 |
| Western Plains Regional Development Inc | Broadening Horizons
Provide youth with access to transport to enable them to take part in preschool, work experience, school holiday programs and other extra-curricular activities across the Lachlan Shire through the purchase of a 12-seater bus. |
$60,000 | $86,500 |
| Boomi Memorial Hall Committee/Moree Plains Shire Council | Boomi Memorial Hall Upgrade
Increased accessibility and reduced volunteer fatigue through upgrades to the Boomi Memorial Hall toilets, sewage, and irrigation systems. |
$59,549 | $89,549 |
| Northern Gomeroi Aboriginal Corporation | Northern Gomeroi Men’s Shed
Increase social inclusion and activities for local men through purchase of a property for a Men’s Shed. |
$52,542 | $64,292 |
Project-specific quotes
Sunset Strip Boulevard Walk of Fame:
“I’m thrilled that the Sunset Strip Progress Association will use $142,897 in grant funding to develop its Sunset Strip Boulevard Walk of Fame for Films and Stars of Outback Australia,” Mr Coulton said.
“This is a fantastic project to bring more visitors to the Far West once we get ahead of the virus.”
Curban Community Hall enhancements:
“The local community will benefit from enhancements to the Curban Community Hall including the installation of audio-visual equipment and an upgrade to the outdoor BBQ area, made possible with a $33,463 grant for Gilgandra Shire Council,” Mr Coulton said.
“Community halls are all too often the main meeting place for community members and I know these infrastructure improvements will have long-lasting benefits.”
Western Plains Regional Development – Broadening Horizons:
“Local youth in the Lachlan Shire will have access to transport to enable them to take part in preschool, work experience, school holiday programs and other extra-curricular activities through the purchase of a 12-seater bus, thanks to $60,000 in grant funding for Western Plains Regional Development,” Mr Coulton said.
“I’m pleased these funds are being used to maximise the opportunities our local youth have and help them to get involved with their local community.”
Boomi Memorial Hall enhancements:
“The local community will benefit from enhancements to the Boomi Memorial Hall in the Moree Plains Shire, which will improve accessibility and reduce volunteer fatigue through upgrades to the toilets, sewage and irrigation systems,” Mr Coulton said.
“Community halls are all too often the main meeting place for community members and I know these infrastructure improvements will have long-lasting benefits.”
Northern Gomeroi Men’s Shed:
“There will be more social activities and inclusion for local men in the Boggabilla community through the purchase of a property for the Northern Gomeroi Men’s Shed, made possible with a grant of $52,542 for the Northern Gomeroi Aboriginal Corporation.”
Additional projects
Other projects funded in the Parkes electorate under the latest round of Tackling Tough Times Together with key contributors including corporations, philanthropists and private donors, include:
- $51,195 for Central West Farming Systems Incorporated Condobolin – Tapping a Natural Resource – A Rural and Regional ‘Remote’ Workforce. Increase skills and capacity to work remotely through provision of tailored training program for the community in the Central West.
- $4,705 for Coonabarabran Aero Club/Coonabarabran High School Parents and Citizens Association – The Sky is No Limit – Enhance educational participation for children disadvantaged by drought through the upgrade of the Coonabarabran Aero Club training school flight simulator at Coonabarabran High School.
- $20,000 for Revamping at The Woolshed Incorporated Lightning Ridge – Reduce social isolation and develop skills and knowledge through the delivery of the ‘Revamping at the Woolshed’ repurposing workshops.
