Glen Innes Severn Councillor Col Price, left, Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall with Glen Innes Severn Mayor Steve Toms and General Manager Hein Basson with their cheque from Round One of the program.
Tuesday, 13 March 2018
THE State Government has made available a massive funding allocation for the Glen Innes Severn Shire, with $1,872,413 now available to build important community facilities, sporting infrastructure and public amenities.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall today announced the allocation, provided under Round Two of the NSW Stronger Country Communities Fund. He is encouraging local community groups and sporting organisations to get their project applications ready, to take most advantage of this opportunity.
“Applications for this massive funding pool are now open, with funds available to improve the sporting and community facilities that make our regional centres such a great place to live,” Mr Marshall said.
“Combined with Round One of this program, the Glen Innes Severn local government area will see more than $2.8 million worth of projects start construction over the next year.
“All up, today’s announcement means another $13.7 million worth of new parks, sporting fields, playgrounds, swimming pools and streetscape upgrades across the Northern Tablelands.
“With unprecedented interest in last year’s funding, the NSW Government invested an additional $100 million in the Stronger Country Communities Fund, providing a total of $200 million to get these sorely needed projects off the ground.
“This means double the projects for the Glen Innes Severn LGA, helping upgrade and build twice as many sporting field upgrades, playgrounds, new parks and much more.
“The fund is also more flexible than ever before. Refreshed guidelines will allow smaller projects and urban beautification works, while 50 per cent of the funding is guaranteed to head towards sporting infrastructure.”
Mr Marshall encouraged community groups across the Glen Innes Severn Shire to consider what was needed in their local area.
“Applications are now open and close on Friday, 4 May, so there’s no time to delay in planning your major project,” Mr Marshall said.
“As each region has funding locked in, projects in Glen Innes don’t need to compete with the larger centres to get approved. These projects will be designed for the local community, driven by its needs and managed by the local council.”
Mr Marshall said Round One of the scheme had already funded a $516,000 ‘Wellness Trail’, linking two major parks in Glen Innes and expanding amenities in each.
“I’ve been thrilled to hear the exciting suggestions that have been thought up for Round One of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, some of which have already been successfully funded,” Mr Marshall said.
“Construction will begin on Glen Innes’ Wellness Trail in the coming weeks, with the town-spanning project to expand cycleways and parks, encouraging people to leave the car at home and get fitter in the great outdoors.
“A $780,000 funding injection will substantially overhaul seven parks in the Uralla Shire, while Armidale’s Golf Course Clubhouse will see a $409,000 redevelopment to create a unique function centre for the town.
“These are just a few of the major projects that have been funded under round one of the scheme and today’s funding announcement will ensure they’re just the beginning.”
Further details can be found at www.nsw.gov.au/strongercountrycommunities.