Category Archives: Local projects

A Wiradjuri native garden and turf playing field at West Wyalong Public School, and new playground equipment and sand soft fall at Wyalong Public School, have been completed.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke was pleased to visit each school community recently to view the projects funded in the fourth round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

“I am delighted that with the support of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, both West Wyalong and Wyalong Public Schools have benefitted from a real boost to their outdoor facilities,” Ms Cooke said.

“We know children thrive in the outdoors, and so I congratulate both the West Wyalong and Wyalong P&Cs for their vision in enhancing the outdoor learning environment available to students.”

Ms Cooke said West Wyalong Public School P&C secured over $127,000 for their garden project which highlights the rich Indigenous history of the area, as well as new turf in the grounds allowing students to enjoy this long-awaited improvement to their school.

Wyalong Public School P&C secured over $82,000 for the installation of new playground equipment, which replaced equipment which was over 20 years old.

“It is exciting for current and future students to have both of these projects delivered, and it is great to see the new equipment put to the test in person.”

Since 2017, a total of over $5.1 million has been secured for projects in Bland Shire through the former NSW Coalition Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Horse riding activities at the Young Showground can now be enjoyed all year-round following over $550,000 in works funded through the Stronger Country Communities Fund.  

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke joined members of Young Pony Club recently as they showed off their horse-riding skills in the new undercover facilities.

“It is fantastic to see the new arena already in use, providing a safer environment for riders with varying degrees of experience, including our local Riding for the Disabled program,” Ms Cooke said.

“It allows all involved in equine activities, including many children, to train in confidence and build their skillset regardless of the weather.

“The new arena also adds to the comfort of volunteers, supporters and the animals involved in making these activities such a great success.”

Ms Cooke said further works are also planned at the site, including the completion of staged improvements to the stables.

“It is hoped this project will support user groups to attract new members and other equine activities and events to town, which in turn brings about a welcome economic boost for local businesses.”

The undercover training area and stables have been made possible through funding of $554,080 secured through two rounds of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Community groups are being encouraged to make an application under Round One of the Community War Memorials Fund, which is currently open.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help with projects such as conservation assessments, honour roll restoration and repairs to war memorial structures and halls.

“At Anzac Day last month, we gathered for services at local war memorials across the small seat of communities, to commemorate those who have fought to protect our way of life,” Ms Cooke said.

“The Community War Memorials Fund is a great opportunity to support local projects to ensure the service and sacrifice of our servicemen and women continues to be remembered.”

The following organisations have secured funding in previous rounds of the program:

• Junee Shire Council – Illabo Memorial Ground
• Junee Shire Council – Eurongilly War Memorial
• Grenfell Sub-branch of the RSL of Australia NSW Branch – Grenfell World War Two Memorial
• Temora Lutheran Community Church – Trungley Hall War Memorial
• Coolamon RSL Sub-branch – Coolamon Cenotaph
• Ariah Park Community Projects – Ariah Park War Memorial
• Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council – Muttama Hall
• Cootamundra RSL Sub-branch – Albert Park Memorial
• Bendick Murrell Memorial Hall & Recreation Ground Trust – Bendick Murrell Memorial Hall
• Koowawatha Progress Association – Koorawatha Honour Roll
• Naradhan Reserve Land – Naradhan RSL Honour Roll
• Gundagai RSL Sub-branch – Gundagai – ANZAC Grove
• Canowindra RSL Sub-branch – Canowindra War Memorial

Applications to Round One of the 2023/24 Community War Memorials Fund will close at 5pm on Tuesday 25 July 2023. For information about the program, including the application form, please visit Grants · Office for Veterans Affairs (nsw.gov.au)

Burrangong Picnic Race Club has been busy upgrading their facilities to incorporate changerooms for female jockeys.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the upgrades whichwill make a significant difference in attracting more participants in the sport to utilise the facilities.

“It is essential we have both male and female facilities for participants in horse racing,” Ms Cooke said.

“I was pleased to learn local trades have been used in the upgrades to the jockey rooms, keeping jobs in town and contributing to local economy.”

“This modernised facility will accommodate the members and visitors of Young Turf Club and Young Rodeo Club along with a number of schools for their cross-country events.”

Burrangong Picnic Race Club President Nick Duff said the funding the club received has helped them achieve new facilities for men and women to enjoy as the previous facilities were crowded, cluttered and lacked privacy.

“The space is more inviting and appealing for women to come and be involved with the club and race, along with attracting more visitors to come and witness the various events held at the racecourse,” Mr Duff said.

These improvements have been made possible thanks to an investment of $292,510 funded by the NSW Government through round four of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Investment of over $400,000 into facilities at Junee Showground has seen a range of improvements completed including an upgrade of the Lord Pavilion, new amenities and other crucial maintenance.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke was pleased to join Junee Showground Land Managers to view the progress of works throughout the grounds.

“With a range of events over the course of the year, including the annual show as well as Can Assist’s long lunch and the Junee Poker run, it is great to have improvements undertaken which will be of benefit to all user groups” Ms Cooke said.

“A particular highlight is the face-lift of Lord Pavilion with new flooring and insulation, electrical wiring and the installation of partitions, allowing the hall to be used for smaller functions.

“The new dedicated changeroom facilities to support female jockeys involved with Junee Harness Racing is also important work, given the number of women involved in the sport.”

Ms Cooke said crucial drainage and electrical maintenance are also expected to be completed in coming months.

Junee Showground Land Manager Chairman Martin Honner said the upgrades support growing numbers for the area, including increased female participation for the harness club, providing a functional and accessible space for a number community and social events.

“The committee is thrilled with the upgrades of the Pavilion and around the Showground and we would like to thank all of our volunteers and local trades who have worked hard to support this project, especially Col Randal who attended the ground each day to ensure the works were being carried out,” Mr Honner said.

The improvements have been made possible thanks to $313,216 through the Showground Stimulus Fund, $27,745 through the Showground Safety Upgrade program and $65,965 through the Crown Reserve Improvement Fund.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $250 million to boost mobile reception in the bush in small communities, tourism hotspots and along key transport corridors through the Mobile Coverage Program.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the program would drive better coverage and better choice for communities.

“This is an opportunity for communities with identified black spots to seek to have this serious issue rectified, ensuring we are all better connected.”

The new program will target three key areas:

• Small regional communities with little to no existing coverage;
• Key transport corridors, where a boost to coverage can help drive increased productivity and improved safety; and
• Visitor economies where major events draw large crowds.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government had already invested in more than 120 mobile towers across regional NSW to boost coverage in known blackspot areas.

“Over the last three years, we’ve done the hard yards to ensure every dollar we invest in telecommunications infrastructure goes further and delivers more for regional communities,” Mr Toole said. 

“Our $250 million investment in this program shifts away from traditional ‘one tower, one provider’ model thinking in favour of a nation-leading approach to deliver shared infrastructure available for use by all carriers.

“This is the first program of its kind in Australia – and it’s further evidence of the future-focused approach that the NSW Liberal and Nationals are taking in Government.”

The Mobile Coverage project is part of the Regional Digital Connectivity program and funded through the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund. For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/connectregionalnsw

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will further invest in infrastructure and facilities that will activate economic and job growth across the region through the new $175 million Growing Regional Economies Fund.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Fund will see investment in transformational infrastructure and facilities projects that will unlock housing and economic growth in regional communities.

“We all know we live in a beautiful part of the state and it’s the perfect reason why many are making the move to our regional areas to grow and raise a family,” Ms Cooke said.

“It is important that we support growth in our area whilst ensuring we have the infrastructure and housing to accommodate.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the fund will only increase the appeal to live and invest in regional NSW.

 “Our regional communities are growing faster than ever before, and this is creating exciting opportunities for infrastructure, business and economic investment across the State,” Mr Toole said.

“Housing must come hand-in-hand with these investments, and the projects supported by this Fund could include roads and other utility connections; the kind of enabling infrastructure needed to set the foundation for further housing growth.”

The $175 million Growing Regional Economies Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, which is being invested in local projects that improve the lives of people living in regional NSW.

Expressions of Interest open next week on 8 February and close on 23 May 2023.

For further information about the Growing Regional Economies Fund, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/gref

Renovations to change rooms at Langtry Oval will be completed thanks to $119,656 in funding to Marrar Football and Netball Club through Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Funding.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this investment not only supports the Marrar Football and Netball Club members and participants, but also benefits visitors to the oval and the local community.

“I look forward to seeing clubs and the broader community enjoying these fantastic upgraded facilities soon,” Ms Cooke said.

“Community sport plays such an important role in bringing people together, whilst also encouraging us all to be active and healthy.”

Marrar Football Netball Club Treasurer and Secretary Cathie Fox said they are very grateful for this much-needed funding.

“The upgrades will allow for the changerooms to be rendered which will improve the overall appearance along with the overall investment of our local community infrastructure.”

“Sporting clubs play an important role in building health routines, providing them with the financial support to replace and upgrade facilities allows them to grow their sport and best meet the needs of the local community,” Ms Cooke said.

Since 2017, the Stronger Country Communities Fund has invested over $5.1 million for 28 projects across Coolamon Shire as part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund.

For further information visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/programs-and-grants/regional-growth-fund/stronger-country-communities-fund

Marrar Campdraft Arena will undergo a makeover thanks to $107,325 in funding from Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Funding.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the resurfacing works to be carried out at Marrar campdraft arena.

“This project is vital towards ensuring the longevity of the arena and will greatly improve the safety for users and site competitors along with providing the committee the confidence to plan and run campdraft and rodeo events,” Ms Cooke said.

“These events provide a huge influx of visitors to our seat of small communities, bringing with it a positive impact in many aspects including financial and building a stronger community as we work together in creating a community event that the whole family can enjoy.

“These improvements are essential to the participation and expansion of the much-loved and growing sport.”

Marrar Campdraft Association President Mr Brendan Halden said receiving such a grant gives the committee the security to plan and run events with confidence.

“A resurface of the arena makes me very excited for the future of our Marrar Madness Rodeo and Campdraft and the future of our sport as a whole,” Mr Halden said.

“It is incredible to think we can run world-class events from our small community of Marrar. Both campdrafting and rodeos are growing sports and the resurface of the arena will allow Marrar to facilitate the growth and really put Marrar on the map.”

“We are beyond grateful to everyone involved in making the resurface happen, it’s a real game changer for our sports and our community.”

Since 2017, the Stronger Country Communities Fund has invested over $5.1 million for 28 projects across Coolamon Shire as part of the NSW Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund. For more information, please visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/programs-and-grants/regional-growth-fund/stronger-country-communities-fund

The facilities at Kindra Park in Coolamon are set for transformation thanks to a successful application of $160,000 made by the Coolamon Rovers Football Netball Club through Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Funding.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this investment not only supports the future of the Coolamon Rovers Football Netball Club, but also benefits visitors to the Park and the local community.

“Participants, spectators and visitors will all appreciate the construction of a new toilet and change room facility including a disabled toilet, as everyone deserves great facilities,” Ms Cooke said.

“Local clubs such as Coolamon Rovers, Coolamon Junior and Senior Cricket and the Coolamon Touch Association all utilise the facilities at Kindra Park for the playing season and these upgrades allow for all to reap the benefits of these improvements.”

Mr Scott Glyde, Secretary of the Coolamon Rovers Football Netball Club said that Kindra Park currently has no designated disabled access toilets so it’s great to see this project was awarded funding.

“Various sporting clubs member and supporters of Coolamon Rovers Football Netball Club, Coolamon Touch Football Association, Coolamon Senior Cricket and Coolamon Junior Cricket along with students and teachers of Coolamon Central School and St Michael’s Primary School will all benefit from the sporting precinct upgrades,” Mr Glyde said.

“Sporting clubs are the heartbeat of our rural and regional communities, allowing them to replace and upgrade facilities allows them to grow their sport and best meet the needs of the local community,” Ms Cooke said.

“We want to encourage people to be active and healthy and engaged with their community, this is why the NSW Government continues to support community sports infrastructure.”

For further information visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/programs-and-grants/regional-growth-fund/stronger-country-communities-fund