Nationals Member Steph Cooke announced $3.16 million in funding for 22 community projects in the Hilltops region, on Wednesday morning. The former Harden Shire area received a large chunk of the funding. $432,000 for golf course irrigation at the Harden Country Club, $364,316 to complete bronzing the Bill the Bastard statue at Murrumburrah, $269,148 for electrical upgrades at Murrumburrah Showground, $140,815 for the Wombat Progress Association for improvements to Wombat Oval, $140,000 for Harden- Murrumburrah Historical Society’s Mackay Lighthorse Memorial, $54,722 for Harden Pony Club for improvements at Murrumburrah Showground, $30,000 for Harden-Murrumburrah Junior Rugby League Club to purchase a food van and storage, $20,000 to install a cycleway at Bunyip Preschool and $13,356 to upgrade the entry doors at Zac’s Place. The villages of Wombat and Jugiong received a share of $894,328, for upgrades to their town halls, which also includes Monteagle and Bendick Murrel. It is not known exactly what share each hall will receive.
Some of the projects have made extraordinary leaps up the list in regards to the prioritisation of stronger country community funds. Harden Golf course irrigation was prioritised at position number 32, the lowest on the list for the Cootamundra electorate projects by Councillors, however, will now be fully funded by the extra funding. Village Halls were prioritised at position 3 on the same list with $1,000,000 – however, have now received $894,328. The Light Horse Memorial was ranked at number 4 at $150,000 and has now received $140,000. Murrumburrah Showground was in 12th position with $326,000 and has now received $269,148.
Ms Cooke said, “Hilltops Council has done a terrific job since its creation in May 2016 to ensure it is in the best possible position to deliver for its community.” “This funding injection is in recognition of this strong performance and the ongoing work it needs to carry out to ensure it delivers quality infrastructure and services to residents.”
Shooters Fishers and Farmers spokesman Matthew Stadtmiller said, “The Twin Towns look to have received the lion’s share of funding from the $3.16 million. There is $1,464,357 before you add half of the village hall funding which equates to $447,164. This potentially totals $1,911,521 which is 60.49% of the funding. I hope this now frees up other projects in the Hilltops area. The Senior and Junior Rugby League clubs are desperate for new facilities as is the Harden Racecourse. The Racecourse was prioritsed at number 2 but Mclean Oval was just outside the funding. If they go higher up the list in the stronger country community fund, that will be great. There is plenty to be done out here. All of these announcements are welcomed and they come on the back of pressure applied by the SFF. I spent Monday last week focussing on just 3 issues. I did media in Cootamundra on drought, Young on lack of a new Police station and Cowra on their need for a new hospital. It has brought these announcements forward or influenced them especially after the government has taken a battering after the Daryl Maguire scandal. We are all paying for these shiny new items and Hilltops Council’s 10 year financial plan sees rates increase 36% and fees and charges 54.96%. In the long run we pay. It would be better if the Government now worked out a plan to maintain these new pieces of infrastructure. By making this seat marginal, residents can expect more from the Government. It is as simple as that. I put my head out to get us a better deal and hopefully the area can get a better deal, that’s what I want. Now we have to wait until mid-August to see what the rest of the community will receive. That will be very telling.”
Other projects include $250,000 for the Young Community Arts Centre Trust to install solar panels and undertake capital works improvements at the Lambing Flat Museum precinct, $230,464 for Young Local Aboriginal Land Council for a cultural centre, $104,802 for Tubbul Campdraft for electrical upgrades at Bribbaree Showground, $80,000 for stadium upgrades at the Young PCYC, $50,000 for Young Preschool to purchase a new vehicle for Young Mobile Play Activities, $30,954 for storage facilities at Young Childcare Centre (Gumnut Grove), $18,000 for a second firetruck shelter at Koorawatha Fire Brigade, $13,029 for renovations to the entry foyer at Young PCYC, $9,955 for new equipment for the Young Darts Association, $6,300 to replace the ceiling at Bribbaree Hall, $5,000 for the Young Sports Advisory Council (355 Committee) to buy equipment, $5,000 for Murringo Public School to purchase sports equipment.
Ms Cooke said, “This funding package will provide much-needed facilities to a wide range of groups and organisations who give so much to the local community.” I would like to thank Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Local Government Gabrielle Upton for this funding package including meeting the council’s request for additional funds towards the cost of amalgamation.” Ms Upton said the Government is committed to supporting councils in regional NSW to support their communities. Regional councils do a fantastic job in the face of unique and ongoing challenges and the Government is proud to continue to support Hilltops Council to help it deliver for the local community.”
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