Pictured: Uralla Mayor Michael Pearce and Member for New England Barnaby Joyce at Uralla's BMX park which is undergoing upgrades as part of the new funding.
New cricket pitch facilities at Bundarra, upgrades to Uralla’s BMX park, a new camp kitchen at Queen Street Caravan Park and a new solar system at Kentucky Hall are among the latest projects for Uralla and district under its second $1 million instalment of the Australian Government’s Drought Communities Program.
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the new projects will be undertaken by Uralla Shire Council and follow delivery of an initial $1 million each for all 10 local government areas in the New England.
The first round delivered upgrades to Uralla Court House and the Showground, as well as well improvements to community infrastructure such as Uralla Preschool and Grace Munro Aged Care facility.
The second $1 million investment in drought relief for Uralla will deliver additional community infrastructure upgrades including:
• insulating the ceiling, upgrading kitchenette and ensuite, and upgrading solar assets at the McMaugh Gardens Aged Care, Uralla;
• refurbishment to Uralla Visitor Information Centre;
• installing a camp kitchen at Uralla’s Queen Street Caravan Park;
• upgrading the historical Uralla sign/map in Salisbury Street;
• building a shed for the Uralla Men’s Shed Group;
• painting of un-rendered brickwork, office and kiosk at the Uralla Swimming Pool;
• upgrades to the Uralla BMX Park, including guttering and roofing of the toilet block, ripping off sections of the reserve, building a road base to allow access to the seating areas, and construction of a children’s bike track with shade sail;
• construction of a bore hole at Alma Park, Uralla;
• installing gas/electric barbeques, tables and shelters at Wooldridge Recreation and Fossicking Area, Uralla;
• installation of LED lights and solar panels in council buildings;
• development of a new cricket pitch surface at Bundarra Cricket Club, and installation of practice nets, fencing, sports seating and water stations at Bundarra Sporting Complex;
• greening and installing tables, seats, shelter and rubbish bins for the main street and parks in the Bundarra CBD;
• installation of a grid-connected solar system at Kentucky Hall;
• organising the Bundarra Lions Goat Racing event in October 2020 and sponsoring the Uralla Show 2020; and development of an Adverse Events Plan
Mr Joyce said the funding will build on the community confidence following recent rain and help support economic recovery from drought.
“The effects of this drought on farmers and communities in the Uralla Shire are far from over,” Mr Joyce said.
“That’s why we are continuing to roll out support like this which will create jobs, improve local infrastructure and keep money ticking through our towns, no matter the circumstances.
“We are here for communities like Uralla and its surrounding villages - be it from drought, bushfire or now Coronavirus - and we will be here to support them for as long as it takes.”
The Coalition Government has committed $300 million over four years to the Drought Communities Program Extension, to facilitate immediate economic stimulus in communities facing hardship and support projects that provide local employment to keep money invested in local shops and suppliers.
(ENDS)