Projects in Nundle, Ben Lomond, Guyra, Armidale and Tenterfield are among the latest to be funded under Round 5 of the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme (SCP).

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the government is delivering a $150,000 investment in towns and villages across the New England under Round 5 of the SCP.  

Latest grant recipients include:

• Nundle School of Arts Memorial Hall Committee ($20,000): For demolition and rebuild of the kitchen at the rear of the hall. The refurbishment will also incorporate disabled access at the side of the hall.
• Ben Lomond War Memorial Hall Land Management ($7,500): To paint and restore the floor of the hall, as well as upgrade electrical wiring and lighting to enhance the display of about 80 photos of service personnel.
• The Hub Guyra ($4,000): To acquire office furniture, whitegoods and kitchen appliances for the Hub following building renovations.
• Riding for the Disabled Armidale ($5,300): To replace concrete area damaged by tree roots at Armidale Equestrian grounds and to purchase a container for the storage of club equipment.
• Sunnyside Hall Management Committee, Tenterfield ($12,500): To upgrade kitchen facilities including structural additions, new benches and appliances.
• Tenterfield Pony Club ($7,615): To upgrade its jump equipment to align with safety requirements of zone and state competitions.
• Tenterfield Show Society ($2,750): To purchase materials for the refurbishment of its jumping equipment. 

“This funding will make a real difference in the lives of locals, especially during this time of drought when people are still doing tough despite recent rain,” Mr Joyce said.

“It is important we fund not only the big infrastructure projects but less prominent ones too because not-for-profit organisations as such are vital to the fabric of our local communities here in the New England.”

Other recent grant recipients in the region include Deepwater Tennis Club ($7,987) to upgrade kitchen facilities, Tenterfield Showground ($9,900) to repair and rebuild the stable block and Guyra North West Church ($2,500) for a kitchen upgrade.

The SCP provides grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 to community organisations and local governments for small capital projects that deliver social benefits for local communities.  

Under the $22.65 million Round 5 of the SCP, each federal electorate has received $150,000 to allocate towards successful projects, with a maximum of 20 projects to be funded per electorate.

 (ENDS)