Pictured: Mr Joyce with staff and members at Billabong Clubhouse in Tamworth during the announcement of its $13,000 grant to refurbish facilities.
Community clubs and organisations in the New England will benefit from almost $150,000 in grants for kitchen upgrades, hall improvements and new equipment under the latest round of the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Program.
Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said for this funding round, grants will cover up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs as a special provision to support Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recent grants in the New England include:
- Billabong Clubhouse Inc: $13,000 - Refurbish clubhouse amenities
- Oxley Community Transport Services: $13,000 - Fit out training / Activities Room
- Bolivia Progress Association: $13,000 - Interior upgrades to hall
- Inverell Women’s Shed Inc: $12,100 - Computer / Craft + Sewing supplies
- Murrurundi Arts & Crafts Council: $3,490 - Replace furniture items
- Scone & Upper Hunter Historical Society: $4,166 - Air conditioning Unit
- Steinbrook Progress Association: $5,500 - Kitchen Rangehood
- Tenterfield & District Community FM Radio Association: $2,547 - Training equipment
- Mingoola Hall Management Committee: $13,000 – Hall renovations
- Merriwa Men’s Shed: $6,000 – Purchase refrigerator, chairs and ceiling fan
- Scone Neighbourhood Resource Centre: $19,000 – Construction and fit-out community space
- Scone Triathlon Club: $5,000 – Bicycle library for short term loan
- Aberdeen RSL Sub-Branch: $3,500 - Mobile WiFi PA system for use during events.
- The Unholy’s Inc Women’s Shed, Quirindi: $5,780 – Purchase communal tools
- Barraba Bowling Club: $10,000 – Purchase mower and roller
- Ebor Tourism and Development Association: $20,000 – Upgrade plumbing at the tourist campground’s ablution building and install three solar street lights.
The grants form part of the $22.65 million Round 6 of the Stronger Communities Program where funding was made available for all 151 federal electorates across the country, including the New England. Organisations were eligible for grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities.
For this funding round, grants will cover up to 100 per cent of eligible project costs as a special provision to support Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is important that we fund not only the big money projects in the New England but the smaller ones too because they are the ones that keep our communities connected,” Mr Joyce said.
An additional $28.2 million was provided in the 2021-22 Budget to extend the Stronger Communities Programme to a seventh round of the program.
(ENDS)