The Trustee for Gulargambone Racecourse and Showground Trust has been successful in securing funding from the Commonwealth Government to upgrade the amenities block at the local showground and racecourse.

Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton today announced $20,000 towards this upgrade project through Round 2 of the Coalition Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).

Mr Coulton said that this project certainly fulfils the intention of the Coalition’s SCP.

“The purpose of this programme is to improve local community participation and cohesion whilst contributing to vibrant and viable communities,” Mr Coulton said.

“I understand that the amenities block is 43 years old and has never been upgraded or refurbished.

“In addition to this, the existing facilities are proving inadequate for the number of patrons who attend race days and the shows. We want to encourage people to keep attending these events and have quality amenities is very important to ensuring that people feel compelled to return to the Gulargambone showground and racecourse.”

Mr Coulton is a passionate advocate of the Stronger Communities Programme and was overwhelmed by the community response he received for both Round 1 and now Round 2 from right across the federal electorate of Parkes.

“For a long time I felt there was a need for greater support for incorporated not-for-profit and local government organisations to help build and maintain small infrastructure projects that would benefit our local communities,” Mr Coulton said.

“The fact that my office received over 160 expressions of interests for projects under Rounds 1 and 2 of this programme certainly confirms my belief that there is a need for this type of funding and I am extremely pleased to be able to help do something about it.

“Our local volunteer organisations are pivotal to our community’s identities and this programme certainly goes some way to supporting them and the terrific work they do.”