Brewarrina locals will see funds flow for drought support, with $1 million worth of projects now approved under the Coalition’s Drought Communities Programme (DCP).
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton visited Brewarrina this week and said he is delighted that Council has had all six of their proposed local projects approved.
“I am so pleased to give the go-ahead for Brewarrina Shire Council to complete projects that will greatly benefit the community, especially in the current challenging dry times,” Mr Coulton said.
“Only recently I visited Bre to speak with Mayor Phil ‘Ocker’ O’Connor, local farmers and members of the community, and I enjoyed the opportunity to hear about how the town is going.
“Bre is a wonderful community and I know that $1 million in drought funding will go a long way.”
The projects that have been approved are:
• Road Safety Grid Program – $440,000
• Safe, Social and Active – Brewarrina Youth Centre – $171,620
• Safe, Social and Active – Goodooga Sports Amenities Upgrade – $141,950
• Safe, Social and Active – Walgett/Brewarrina Road, Rest Stop – $97,750
• Brewarrina Community Hall Upgrade – $95,000
• Culgoa Sports Upgrade – $53,680
The DCP was extended earlier this year to provide support of $1 million each to all 18 councils in the Parkes electorate including Brewarrina, as well as the Unincorporated Area.
The DCP – Extension is targeted at projects that stimulate local community spending by using local resources, businesses, suppliers and workers, or provide long-lasting benefits for communities and agricultural industries.
Minister for Regional Services, Local Government and Decentralisation Bridget McKenzie said despite the impact of natural disasters, rural and regional Australia continues to punch above its weight in the nation’s economy.
“We know when our regions are strong so is our nation,” Minister McKenzie said.
“With regional Australia accounting for around two-thirds of our exports and employing hundreds of thousands of Australians, supporting these communities now is a small price to pay to ensure we keep the economy growing.”
Funding is available to eligible councils for local infrastructure projects and other drought-relief activities. Project funding is intended to provide short-term support, including by boosting local employment and procurement, and addressing social and community needs. For details on the DCP – Extension see https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/drought-communities-programme
Further updates on other successful council projects in the Parkes electorate will be made in the near future.
Photo Caption:
Photo 1: Member for Parkes Mark Coulton caught up with Mayor Phil ‘Ocker’ O’Connor, local farmers and members of the community in Brewarrina this week.