Warialda Airstrip will soon be much safer thanks to a $107,100 grant for Gwydir Shire Council, Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has announced.
Mr Coulton said he is delighted the project now has the tick of approval under the Coalition’s Drought Communities Programme (DCP).
“I am very pleased to give the go-ahead for Gwydir Shire Council to complete a much-needed replacement of fencing at the Warialda Airstrip,” Mr Coulton said.
“Cattle and wildlife are currently able to enter the airstrip which has presented a safety concern – this will no longer be an issue with a new exclusion fence.
“The Warialda Airstrip project will be of great benefit to the local community, especially in the current challenging dry times, and I congratulate Council on their success.”
The DCP was extended earlier this year to provide support of $1 million each to all 18 councils in the Parkes electorate including Gwydir, 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.
