A large range of social benefits will be delivered for the residents of the Tottenham area with the announcement of Building Better Regions round one funding for a multipurpose facility at the town’s pool.
The Minister for Regional Development Fiona Nash and the Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the Lachlan Council will receive $181,450 for the Tottenham Pool Multipurpose Facility Project under the fund’s Infrastructure Projects Stream.
“After a competitive merit-based selection process, Australian Government funding has been approved for four projects in the electorate of Parkes including the very worthy multipurpose facility at the Tottenham pool” Minister Nash said.
“I aim to help build the kinds of regional communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to. Today’s announcement provides just the sort of boost the electorate of Parkes needs to achieve that goal” she said.
Mr Coulton said the project will support the Tottenham community by ensuring a key piece of community infrastructure remains open and by delivering a facility that will promote social connection and cohesion.
“The funding will enable the construction of the multipurpose facility including a café with outdoor dining area, office room with first aid facilities and upgraded amenities including toilets and change rooms” Mr Coulton said.
“The new facility will replace a 50 year old, non-compliant building that no longer meets the needs of the region.
“The project will deliver a range of economic benefits to the Tottenham community during and beyond the construction period by injecting over $400,000 into the local construction sector, create an additional two jobs into the town, grow local business and drive increased visitation and visitor expenditure.
Mr Coulton said the project will support a sport and recreational facility that will encourage the community to engage in a healthy and active lifestyle.
“The Tottenham pool is an integral part of the community’s sporting and social fabric and the updated amenity block will deliver improved facilities and a community space for meeting, training and social functions enhancing community connections and cohesion.
“In addition the project will be a demonstrable partnership between three tiers of Government and the remote community of Tottenham and I am proud the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions programme will contribute to this vital piece of infrastructure.
“The Tottenham community has a proven track record of “looking after itself” and this is evidenced by the community raising over $130,000 toward the project while the Lachlan Shire Council has committed $149,400.
Under the BBRF, the Australian Government will invest almost $500 million to foster economic growth in rural, regional, and remote communities.
More information about the Building Better Regions Fund is available at: www.business.gov.au/bbrf