Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is excited to announce Hilltops Council has been successful in their application for $1,044,850 to undertake works at Jugiong Memorial Pool, thanks to the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Five. The local member met with overjoyed locals on Friday December 23 for the announcement. It comes after the Young Aquatic Centre’s redesign and construction blew its budget under the previous term of Council by hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The improvements to Jugiong Memorial Pool will involve an upgrade to the existing medium size pool, kiosk, amenities and ancillary equipment.
The project will go out to tender, however, Cooke stated, “The engagement of local contractors and of materials from local suppliers together with hiring of staff to operate the centre will provide an important boost to the local economy.”
“It will be great to see increased use of this facility from local swimming clubs, schools, sporting groups and visitors once these upgrades are completed.”
Jugiong is one of five towns and villages who compete in the yearly Shine Shield competition which has not been able to be run due to two years of Covid and another year where air quality due to fires made holding the event impossible.
The pool and camp grounds have become an essential stop-off point for travellers on the Hume Highway, especially the ‘grey nomads’ who pay a small fee for use of the camp grounds.
Cr Margaret Roles, Mayor of Hilltops Council said they are delighted to have been successful in this funding to perform these upgrades.
“These upgrades will mean that the pool’s future is secure and will continue to be used and enjoyed by the Hilltops community now and into the future.” Ms Roles said.
The pool is not only seen as a recreational facility but an educational facility, built to stem the flow of residents who have drowned in the nearby Murrumbidgee River over the last century or more.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said in the past five years the Stronger Country Communities Fund had delivered more than 2000 grassroots projects, benefitting every Local Government Area in regional NSW.
The Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, designed to support growing regional centres, activate local economies and improve services and community infrastructure in the regions.
For more information, visit: nsw.gov.au/sccf
