Steph Cooke | 30 Jan 2023 | Community Cowra Shire Grants
There will be increased fun and joy at the Cowra Aquatic Centre with Cowra Shire Council being successful in receiving $981,202 to implement a splashpad through Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she has welcomed this exciting project for all ages of the community to enjoy.
“I can’t wait to hear the laughter and see the joy in the faces of many children as they enjoy the thrills and excitement of this new water attraction,” Ms Cooke said.
“These improvements to the Aquatic Centre will encourage family visits and raise water confidence in younger users.”
Cowra Shire Council Mayor Cr Bill West said this is a great announcement as this project will allow them to improve and upgrade the Aquatic Centre in various stages.
“The incorporation of a splashpad and construction of a pump shed to service the splashpad will ensure that Council’s long-term plan will be implemented in due course,” Cr West said.
The splashpad will integrate with the existing toddler’s pool creating an area specifically designed for younger users whilst incorporating inclusive design features that will be accessible to children with all levels of ability.
Over five rounds of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, more than $5.5 million in funding has been awarded to 22 projects across the Cowra Local Government Area.
Steph Cooke | 23 Jan 2023 | Community Cowra Shire News
The community of Wattamondara are celebrating the recently completed $445,000 community hall located at the Wattamondara Recreation Ground thanks to funding from both the NSW State and Federal Governments.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she was delighted to join the Wattamondara Recreation Reserve Land Managers and the local community at the official grand opening.
“This state-of-the-art community hall features amenities, kitchen and a space where community can come together to hold various celebrations, workshops and events,” Ms Cooke said.
“Judging by the amazing show of support, I know this important community asset will be valued and utilised now and into the future.”
Wattamondara Recreation Reserve Land Manager Fiona Jennings said they are very grateful to all who have contributed to the brand new community asset which will be cherished for many generations to come.
‘There is a long list of people, businesses, organisations and levels of government who have helped us with products, labour, advice, funding and time, all of which we are very grateful for,” Ms Jennings said.
“The community now has a venue to host public and private functions and facilitate community activities and initiatives,” she said.
Wattamondara Recreation Reserve Land Manager received $67,347 to complete the construction of the new hall through the NSW Government’s Crown Reserve Improvement Fund, with initial funding of $350,000 provided by the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme.
Further funding of $41,582 under Covid-19 Recovery Support Program was awarded to complete the final touches including ensuring the hall has all it needs to accommodate events such as tables, seating and appliances in their lovely kitchen.
With the grand opening funded through a successful grant with Cowra Shire Council under the NSW Government’s Reconnecting Regional NSW Community Events Program.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the $350,000 in funding from the Federal Government was an important investment into the Wattamondara community.
“The Drought Communities Programme provided much-needed financial support to the communities which needed it most,” Mr McCormack said.
“I was delighted to deliver $2 million to the Cowra Shire Council, through this program, for it to put towards important community projects, including $350,000 for Wattamondara’s community hall which will be used for weddings and birthdays as well as providing a space for organisations to provide services, such as childcare and exercise classes.”
This is just one example of how all three levels of Government work together to support our smaller communities.
Steph Cooke | 22 Dec 2022 | Community Cowra Shire Emergency Services
The NSW State Emergency Service’s (SES) Cowra Unit is delighted to take ownership of a new General Purpose Trailer to bolster their operational efficiency in storms and floods.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke handed over the keys of the trailer to volunteers at a ceremony held today.
“Following prolonged rain and flooding across the State, this trailer is a welcome addition to ensure our volunteers are well-equipped to respond to any emergencies or requests for assistance,” Ms Cooke said.
“The trailer will provide a much-needed boost in transporting items such as sandbags, tools, water, food and medicines to communities across the Central West.”
Valued at approximately $10,200, the trailer is the newest asset to the SES’ fleet through the Fleet Replacement Program, thanks to a $116 million commitment from the NSW Liberal National Government.
SES Commissioner Carlene York said the General Purpose Trailer will provide additional capability for volunteers.
“With the volunteers at the Cowra SES Unit already responding to 244 requests for assistance this year alone, the General Purpose Trailer will allow them to optimise the transport and travel of equipment and supplies,” Commissioner York said.
“This investment into one of our regional units ensures that the SES will always be there to assist the community in their time of need.”
Commander of the Cowra SES Unit Raymond Johnston said volunteers will utilise the trailer in their everyday operations.
“This addition to our resources with its increased payload will make a vast difference to our members’ response times,” Mr Johnston said. “We will be able to respond to multiple requests for assistance without having to return to reload between tasks.”
Wyangala Country Club has secured a total of $19,424 in funding through the NSW Government’s 2022 Community Building Partnership Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the State Government funds will deliver much-needed improvements and equipment to local facilities.
“I congratulate the Wyangala Country Club in their successful application to purchase a grounds mower and bistro dishwasher,” Ms Cooke said.
“This funding is just another way that Wyangala Country Club are committed to enhancing their facilities at Matt Morrison Oval for the community to enjoy.”
“This program has been hugely successful across the Cootamundra electorate allowing local groups to undertake a wide range of projects.”
The Community Building Partnership program has funded more than 18,000 community projects since it commenced in 2009. For more information about the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnership Program, visit www.nsw.gov.au/cpb
Steph Cooke | 21 Dec 2022 | Coolamon Shire Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Cowra Shire Narrandera Shire Temora Shire
Funding of over $867,000 has been secured to improve and upgrade Crown Land reserves and facilities across the Cootamundra electorate under the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the funding, which will provide benefits to the community, boost the local economy and contribute to the cultural, sporting and recreational life of the region.
“Crown reserves provide land for sport and recreation, homes for community organisations, open space for healthy lifestyles, and protect our environment including sensitive habitat for native plants and animals,” Ms Cooke said.
“It’s fantastic that funding has been allocated to support local reserves and community facilities right across the Cootamundra electorate.”
Projects being funded include:
$625,068 for Cowra Showground, Racecourse and Paceway to upgrade its ageing electrical system and build a large all-weather undercover area for horse riders which includes Riding for the Disabled.
$16,731 for Bellevue Hill reserve in Cowra to restore habitat by removing weeds, shrubs and trees and replace them with native trees and grasses.
$173,985 for Lake Talbot Reserve in Narrandera to upgrade the barbecue shelter, seats, stairs and walking trails, and make it more accessible.
$18,105 for Coolac Public Hall to build an amenities block with separate men’s and women’s toilets and a toilet accessible for people with wheelchairs.
$18,097 for Ganmain Showground to replace benchtops in the main pavilion and lay concrete under the awning of the new Lifestyle Pavilion.
$8,847 for Sebastapol Travelling Stock Reserve for a new fence and signs to stop the public entering due to danger from old mine shafts.
$6,750 for Bectric Hall and Recreation Reserve to paint and provide maintenance upgrades to the amenities and exterior roof of the hall .
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said Crown land covers about 34 million hectares or 42 per cent of NSW, with over 34,000 reserves across the state.
“Crown reserves provide communities with land for everything from showgrounds, racecourses, surf lifesaving clubs and community halls to parks, ovals, green space and walking trails,” Mr Anderson said.
“The Cootamundra grants are part of $16.48 million being offered statewide to support 264 projects that will benefit many thousands of people and the cultural, sporting and recreational life of hundreds of local communities.” For further information on Crown Reserves Improvement Fund please visit: https://reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au/funding/crif
Steph Cooke | 21 Dec 2022 | Cowra Shire Hilltops Council Roads and Transport
The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is calling on communities in the state’s south east and tablelands to have their say on the future of the region’s road and transport network.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the draft South East and Tablelands Regional Transport Plan is now out for consultation and outlines the government’s vision to build the roads and transport infrastructure to make getting from A to B easier.
“We are planning for the travel of tomorrow and to make the future brighter for our region with this plan,” Ms Cooke said.
“This plan lays out the projects we are currently building along with the projects we are investigating to deliver safer, more reliable, and more efficient transport connections within the South East and Tablelands, and between Canberra, Greater Sydney, and Wollongong.”
“In the Cootamundra electorate, initiatives include enhanced public transport options around Young.”
“Planning for the Blayney to Demondrille Rail Line Reactivation will also provide a new rail freight connection for the region’s industry to Cowra and the Central West and Orana. Concept designs are currently underway to support determining the feasibility of reactivating the 179-kilometre line.”
“We will also be looking at how to improve connections to and from major town centres like Young and Boorowa and more broadly to Canberra, Yass and Goulburn.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said with more people choosing to call regional NSW home projects and initiatives listed in the draft plan would cater for the expected population growth.
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $19.4 billion regional road and transport infrastructure pipeline is securing a brighter future for regional NSW,” Mr Farraway said.
“With every road we upgrade we strengthen our state’s supply chain by providing more direct routes which saves time and lowers the costs of moving produce and goods across the state.”
The draft plan covers the Local Government Areas of Hilltops as well as Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Goulburn Mulwaree, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy Monaro, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, and Yass Valley.
Public consultation on the Draft South East and Tablelands Regional Transport Plan is now open until Friday 24 February 2023.
Following the public consultation, Transport for NSW will update the plan to consider the feedback received and look to release the Final Plan in 2023.
Steph Cooke | 05 Dec 2022 | Cowra Shire Health News
Work to deliver the new $110.2 million Cowra Hospital will commence in the coming weeks, with the early works contractor appointed for the new state-of-the-art health facility.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is pleased to unveil the latest designs for the hospital redevelopment marking a significant milestone in the delivery of the new purpose-built health facility for the Cowra community.
“This is an exciting announcement for the Cowra community, with early work for the hospital redevelopment to start in the coming weeks, bringing enhanced health services tailored to the needs of our community another step closer,” Ms Cooke said.
“New artist impressions showcasing the design for the redevelopment, which will be built on the existing site and provide modernised health services and facilities for patients, staff and the local community.”
“We’ve listened to feedback from staff and the community which has informed the hospital’s two-level design, as well as improved access and onsite parking, new landscaped areas and enhanced views from the hospital.”
“We’re now encouraging the community to view the latest designs, provide their feedback and ask questions at upcoming community information sessions with the project team.”
The new $110.2 million hospital will deliver:
An emergency department,
A general medical and surgery inpatient ward, including spaces to provide palliative care
A peri-operative service (a range of surgical procedures),
A maternity unit with a dedicated nursery,
Ambulatory care (services for outpatients) and Hospital in the Home,
Oral health (dental clinic),
Renal dialysis (dialysis treatment for outpatients),
Oncology (chemotherapy treatments),
Community and allied health
Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services,
Tresillian inpatient beds for new mothers and their babies, and
A medical imaging department including a new CT Scanner and Ultrasound
The redevelopment, and the unique history of the existing hospital is being captured through a detailed photo archival, which will provide a photographic record of the Cowra health service for the local community.
“We’re committed to integrating the hospital’s rich history and the community’s long held connection with the site into the new hospital’s Arts and Culture initiatives, which are being developed as part of the redevelopment,” Ms Cooke said.
Drop-in community information sessions for the redevelopment will be held at Cowra Civic Centre on:
Wednesday 14 December, 12.00pm-1.00pm and 4.30pm-5.30pm
Lipman is the enabling works contractor for the Cowra Hospital redevelopment.
Main construction works for the redevelopment is expected to commence in 2023 after early works are completed.
The Cowra Hospital redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
Since 2011, the government has delivered more than 180 health capital works across NSW, with more than 130 projects currently underway – of those, more than 90 are in rural and regional areas.
Steph Cooke | 30 Nov 2022 | Community Cowra Shire Education
Students across the Central West region will be empowered to reach their higher education potential thanks to a new dedicated learning centre earmarked for Cowra.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the funding of $1.27 million for a new Country Universities Centre (CUC) in Cowra, which will provide a learning space for students to obtain their degrees without the need to move away from home.
“Where you live should not limit your opportunities for a good education and once operational, the Centre will enable students to engage in and successfully complete their studies in a safe and flexible learning environment,” Ms Cooke said.
“What a fantastic opportunity for people who wish to grow up in Cowra, this will allow them to study, work and have a wonderful life in this beautiful part of the world.”
“All of this could not be made possible without the support also from the CUC Cowra Regional Board and Chair Ms Linda Barron, along with Cowra Shire Council.”
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the CUC model is designed and developed by regional people for regional people and their communities, to provide equitable access to higher education.
“CUC’s are encouraging graduates to stay and work in the regions while they complete their studies, which is future-proofing the workforce and helping boost local economies,” Mr Henskens said.
The state-of-the-art facility is scheduled to open its doors in early 2023 and will be equipped with modern technology, high bandwidth internet, space to study and access to video conferencing.
Country Universities Centre interim-CEO Duncan Taylor said the Cowra and broader community will benefit greatly from having a local CUC Centre.
“As we’ve seen in our other Centres, the combination of study spaces, technology, the student community and the human support will provide the needed environment for local students to thrive in their studies and will enrich opportunities across the Central West region,” Mr Taylor said.
Cowra Council’s Community Development Officer, Linda Barron, believes the establishment of a Country Universities Centre in Cowra will meet a strong demand for improved tertiary education supports in the local area.
“We know from the Cowra Youth Council’s research that our young people will benefit from improved access to study facilities. The CUC Cowra Region will provide a place where university students of all ages can connect with like-minded people, helping to break down the isolation many remote learners face,” Mrs Barron said.
The NSW Government committed $16 million to the CUC education model, which will help deliver 10 centres across the state by the end of 2023. More information on the Country Universities Centre network can be found https://www.cuc.edu.au/our-centres/
Steph Cooke | 28 Nov 2022 | Cowra Shire News Roads and Transport
Cowra Shire Council will soon start receiving funds totalling $441,613.16 for urgent pothole repairs, under the NSW Government’s $50 million Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the money was going straight into Cowra Shire Council’s bank account to help them cover the extra costs and workload pressures following this year’s unprecedented rain and storms.
“These grants are a rapid injection of cash to help councils get on with the job of repairing potholes to get us through the wet summer ahead,” Ms Cooke said.
“This is on top of the ongoing investment in a stronger road network through Fixing Local Roads, Fixing Country Roads and Fixing Country Bridges.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said all 94 regional councils that applied for funding had been approved for grants.
“From December, councils across regional NSW will receive their share of $50 million to repair pothole-ravaged local and regional roads,” Mr Farraway said.
“This additional support will help councils to repair their most damaged roads, improving safety and reducing wear and tear on vehicles.”
“The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is backing in our councils with this dedicated pothole repair funding which is the first of its kind in NSW.”
Cowra Mayor, Cr Bill West, whose area has been hit by floods and severe weather several times this year welcomed the extra money announced under the Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round.
“We have nearly 1300 kilometres of local and regional roads to manage across the Cowra LGA. Every dollar counts towards ensuring they are repaired as quickly as possible,” Cr West said.
“It is our top priority to patch potholes on these roads our community rely on, to improve safety and reduce wear and tear on vehicles.”
A Recovery Assistance Point will operate in Cowra from Thursday 24 November to help individuals, families, farmers and business owners recover from flooding.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said Recovery Assistance Points bring together NSW Government agencies, Commonwealth agencies, the local council, community organisations and welfare bodies all under the one roof.
“As we transition from response to recovery, it can be difficult for people to know where to start,” Ms Cooke said.
“Recovery Assistance Points function as the first port of call for people needing to access the various types of flood recovery support available.”
“Whether you need to replace damaged documents, receive assistance with the physical clean-up, access emergency accommodation or utilise mental health services, I encourage everyone who has been impacted by the severe storm and flooding to visit.”
Recovery Assistance Points continue to be stood up across NSW to connect individuals, families, farmers and business owners with a range of services and offer support, as they begin the long and difficult clean-up, rebuilding and recovery process.
The Recovery Assistance Point will operate at Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 77 Darling Street Cowra on:
Service NSW is operating as an online one-stop shop for anyone wanting assistance remotely, with Customer Care specialists also available over the phone on 13 77 88.
