Drought Communities Program delivers for Tenterfield, Gwydir councils

16 Dec 2018

Member for New England and Special Envoy for Drought Assistance and Recovery, Barnaby Joyce, is pleased to announce Gwydir Shire Council and Tenterfield Shire Council projects have been successful in securing more than $1 million for projects under the Liberal and Nationals Government’s $81 million Drought Communities Program.

  • Gwydir Shire Council: $54,500 for the CWA Commemorative Statue project and $107,100 for the Warialda Airstrip Fencing and Amenities project.
  • Tenterfield Shire Council: $1 million for the Drought Communities Relief for Tenterfield Shire project.

“This funding will make a significant difference for drought-affected communities in the Gwydir and Tenterfield shires, leading to more work and new money flowing through our towns,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“Rural airstrips like this one at Warialda are vital for isolated towns so it’s important we maintain the integrity of this infrastructure and commemorative projects such as the CWA statue, which will help mark the 100th Anniversary for the organisation in 2022, will do wonders to lift community spirit in the Gwydir shire.

 

“In Tenterfield, the funding will support community events like the Tenterfield Rodeo, Tenterfield Show as well as essential infrastructure upgrades like bridges and potable water, which underpin the local agriculture sector.

 

“It’s all helping to drive the community dollar further in our drought towns, drawing on local resources and suppliers to increase spending and support people and businesses across the New England who struggling because of the drought.”  

 

Other approved New England Electorate projects include:

  • Tamworth Regional Council: $1,000,000 for unsealed road infrastructure upgrades.
  • Glen Innes Severn Council: $360,000 for re-sheeting rural roads.
  • Armidale Regional Council: $500,000 for Armidale region drought infrastructure program
  • Inverell Shire Council: $900,000 for upgrading infrastructure and energising rural communities, $100,000 for the Choose Inverell marketing strategy

 

Minister for Regional Services, Local Government and Decentralisation Bridget McKenzie said money is available to eligible councils for local infrastructure projects and other drought-relief activities to provide short-term economic support by boosting local employment and procurement and addressing social and community needs.

 

“We know when our regions are strong so is our nation,” Minister McKenzie, Deputy Leader of The Nationals, said.

 

“I am proud the Liberal and Nationals Government has boosted the Drought Communities Program and that the Gwydir and Tenterfield shire councils will receive part of their $1 million to support their community during this severe drought event.”

 

The Drought Communities Program supports communities in the most drought-affected regions of Australia and builds on more than $7 billion of Liberal and Nationals Government drought support measures.

 

In August 2018, the program was extended to provide support of $1 million to 60 eligible councils and in October a further 21 eligible councils were added to reach even more communities suffering through drought.

 

Funding is available to eligible councils for local infrastructure projects and other drought-relief activities. Project funding is intended to provide short-term support, including by boosting local employment and procurement, and addressing social and community needs.

 

For information on the Government’s Drought Communities Program click here.

 

(ENDS)

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