Steph Cooke | 23 Dec 2022 | Community Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Hilltops Council Narrandera Shire Temora Shire Weddin Shire
Young people in the region will be able to enjoy a vast range of activities during the upcoming summer school holidays, thanks to the NSW Government’s $10 million Holiday Break Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the latest suite of activities and said they offer great opportunities for young people to stay connected, have fun and maybe even discover a new interest.
“Across the electorate, events and workshops will be delivered to help the youth in our region access social and recreational activities within their local communities while on their summer holiday break,” Ms Cooke said.
“These activities are a wonderful way to ensure we break down barriers for our regional youth, making it easier for them to socialise and have some fun during the summer break.”
“The NSW Government invests in this program because we know it is important to provide opportunities for young people to connect, socialise and have fun during the school holidays,” Mr Franklin said.
“We also know that keeping the kids entertained over the holidays can be costly for families, so these free activities will help to relieve the financial pressure on family budgets these Summer holidays.
“The programs on offer will provide social and recreational outlets to help regional youth become more involved in their local communities, and to show that living in a regional location is not a barrier for young people to try new things.
“Our continued program partnerships mean we’re able to deliver an assortment of activities that allow youth to hone their artistic skills, explore a completely new area of interest or get moving with a fun physical activity over the school holidays.”
A list of events across the electorate includes:
Cootamundra Youth Council
31/12/2022 7:30pm – 12:30am
New Years Eve Movie night for ages 12-17 – The Arts Centre Cootamundra.
16/01/2023 9am – 3pm
Family Fun Sports Day – Cootamundra Sports Stadium.
Teen boot camp-fun and fitness in the sun – Carberry Park (opposite Council Chambers Gundagai).
20/02/2023 2pm – 3:30pm
Skateboard and scooter lessons and grip tap art workshop – Gundagai Skate Park.
13/01/2023 6pm – 9pm
Open Night at the Gundagai Pool – Swimming, games and giveaways – Gundagai. Memorial Pool.
Hilltops Youth Action Group
29/01/2023
Back 2 Skool Pool Party featuring the World’s oldest Rocking DJ’s & Nursing home escapee’s the Rockafellas.
Temora Shire Council
05/01/2023 9am -10:30am
Cooking Class with Local Caterer – Platform Y.
06/01/2023 9:45am – 3pm
Trip to Wagga with lasertag and Shopping time – Platform Y.
09/01/2023 9:30am – 10:15am
Yoga Class for ages 12-24 – Platform Y.
09/01/2023 11am – 2:30pm
Mixed Media Art Workshop – Platform Y.
12/01/2023 10am – 11:30am
Gaming Day – including VR headsets – Platform Y.
Narrandera Shire Council
04/01/2023 – 03/02/2023 10am -9pm
The Summer Sessions will include two Paint with mates sessions, a cultural tour and an afternoon of music followed by a movie night – Lake Talbot Water Park.
Weddin Shire Council
21/01/2023 10am – 7pm
Beach themed pool party. Laser Tag, Water inflatables, Craft activities and beach themed catering. To find out more about activities near you and for program guidelines, visit nsw.gov.au/ holidaybreak
Steph Cooke | 22 Dec 2022 | Community Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Emergency Services Hilltops Council Junee Shire Narrandera Shire
Five new probationary constables from ‘Class 356’ will commence duties across the region following their Police Academy attestation and formal ceremony held at the Goulburn Police Academy on Friday, 9 December.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has congratulated the new recruits as they embark on their policing careers from Junee, Cootamundra, Narrandera and Young Police stations.
“I welcome all our newest police officers to the region and wish them every success in such an honourable role,” Ms Cooke said.
“Being sworn in as a police officer is a great honour and I commend these recruits for their commitment to their communities.”
“These new officers will play major roles in keeping our communities safe and it is great to see more and more officers gaining experience in our rural areas”
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole joined NSW Police Commissioner, Karen Webb APM, to welcome the enthusiastic new recruits, who come from diverse backgrounds and professional experience.
“I am proud to welcome the 151 new recruits into the NSW Police Force, who have taken up the incredibly challenging but rewarding responsibility of serving and protecting the people of NSW,” Minister Toole said.
“These probationary constables are among 1,046 recruits to NSW Police this year, helping strengthen the ranks of our modern and world-class Police Force.”
“The NSW Government recognises the role of a police officer is like no other, which is why we’re rolling out landmark reforms to help recruit, retain and take better care of every member of the Force throughout their career, whether they’re probationary constables or those with decades of experience.” The recruits of Class 356 including 116 men and 35 women have completed eight months of foundational training before putting their feet on the beat.
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 | 20 Dec 2022 | Community Grants Hilltops Council
Young and District Multicultural Association have been successful in receiving funding of $5,000 to host their ‘2nd YADMA Harmony Gala Dinner’ thanks to more than $1 million in grant funding awarded by the NSW Government through the Stronger Together Festival and Events Grants program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said Young and District Multicultural Association were among 122 to successfully receive a share of the funding to host local events and festivals.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the Hilltops community to come together to enjoy cross-cultural diversity,” Ms Cookesaid.
“It is important to celebrate and share our cultural traditions, bringing people together and breaking down barriers.”
Josie Johnson president of the Young and District Multicultural Association said this funding will enable us to plan for and facilitate the event.
“We are looking forward to this community event and look forward to it being a very successful dinner for the Hilltops Region,” Ms Johnson said.
Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the grants program had been boosted from $500,000 to $1 million thanks to the 2022-23 NSW Budget.
“Through the Stronger Together Festivals Grants program, the NSW Liberals and Nationals have funded 283 community organisations with $2,098,329 to host events and festivals in their local areas,” Mr Coure said.
“This is one of the great things about our diversity here in NSW; you don’t need to travel overseas to experience the colour and vibrancy of other cultures, you can do it right here at home.”
The Stronger Together Festival and Events Grants program provides funding from $5,000 to $15,000 for celebrations to be held between 1 February and 30 June 2023.
For more information about the Stronger Together Festival and Events Grants program, visit www.multicultural.nsw.gov.au
Steph Cooke | 13 Dec 2022 | Community Education Grants Hilltops Council
Boys to the Bush, which has hubs in Young and Leeton, will share in $4 million from the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Community Connection and Wellbeing Program to deliver a community wellbeing project.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the group will receive $74,200 to establish their ‘Shed Talks’ project, offering up to 500 disadvantaged regional youth and interested community members more opportunities to connect with their local community.
“Through events and activities that bring people together, we can kickstart and revive a better sense of connection and social wellbeing, which took such a hit during COVID-19,” Ms Cooke said.
“I’m confident this project will support our community by facilitating a sense of belonging, which research shows is strongly linked to improved mental health outcomes.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said research conducted by the NSW Mental Health Commissioner found that 4 out of 10 residents have experienced negative impacts to their life following the pandemic.
“The past few years have been incredibly isolating for many people across our state, and by creating more opportunities for connectedness across NSW communities will play an important role in mitigating this,” Mrs Taylor said.
Steph Cooke | 12 Dec 2022 | Grants Hilltops Council News
Community groups across the Hilltops region have secured funding of over $93,000 for four projects 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 all the organisations that were successful in their application and look forward to seeing how these projects make a real difference for community groups in the area,” Ms Cooke said.
The successful recipients include:
Young Child Care Centre Inc
Young Community Arts Centre Land Manager
Boys to the Bush Ltd in Young
Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society Inc
Young Child Care Centre has been successful in receiving $48,240 to undertake major plumbing repairs to their playground and soft fall area.
Young Community Arts Centre Land Manager has been successful in receiving $10,270 to undertake upgrades to their complex including smoke alarms and electricity supply.
Boys to the Bush have been successful in receiving $18,000 to purchase a mobile kitchen camp trailer to use on camps, school programs and community events at their newly established Community Hub in Young.
Harden Murrumburrah Historical Society have been successful in receiving $17,450 to undertake electrical works for the Museum for Military collection along with lighting for their display cabinets.
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 | 01 Dec 2022 | Hilltops Council News Roads and Transport
Hilltops Council has been successful in receiving funding of $2,409,700 to replace Sheedys Bridge on Woodlands Road, Kingsvale, under the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the 85-year-old bridge will be replaced with a stronger, sturdier and more resilient concrete bridge.
“This funding is about ensuring that our councils have the support they need to keep the community connected,” Ms Cooke said.
“We know ageing timber bridges like this one are just not up to the task anymore, especially during a flood so by replacing them with more modern materials we not only improve our network resilience but also take the pressure off the council to maintain them.”
“As we’ve seen with the recent flooding, a concrete structure can be the difference between reopening a road the day after it floods, or closing it for a week until an impacted bridge is assessed and repaired.”
Hilltops Council General Manager Mr Anthony O’Reilly said that this upgrade will improve community connectivity.
“The new structure will increase the weight limit on the bridge which will provide farmers better access to markets for agriculture products which is the life blood of the economy,” Mr O’Reilly said.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the program was helping local councils upgrade their bridges and keep communities connected.
“We are building what matters through the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program. We’ve already rolled out funding for more than 450 bridges,” Mr Farraway said.
“We are helping councils build bridges that are wider, higher and stronger and support greater load limits. Allowing greater volumes of freight will mean a boost for transport efficiencies and productivity in agriculture and other rural industries.”
“These bridges will play a vital role in connecting rural and regional communities to markets, jobs and essential services such as schools and hospitals.”
More than $300 million was awarded to councils under Round 1 of the Program, to replace more than 400 timber structures across 53 LGAs, and in July this year, a further $49.25 million was provided to replace 34 bridges across 21 LGAs.
Steph Cooke | 28 Nov 2022 | Hilltops Council News Roads and Transport
Hilltops Council will soon start receiving funds totalling $943,321.42 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 the bank account of Hilltops Council 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.”
Hilltops Council Mayor, Cr Margaret Roles, 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 2739 kilometres of local and regional roads to manage across the Hilltops area. Every dollar counts towards ensuring they are repaired as quickly as possible,” Cr Roles said.
“As Mayor of Hilltops I welcome the funding, and thank the State Government for making it available. It will help us repair and maintain our road network. I’m sure all the residents of Hilltops will appreciate the funding as well.”
Steph Cooke | 25 Nov 2022 | Community Hilltops Council News
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has visited residents and businesses in Boorowa to see the impact of the recent floods.
“As with many of our small communities, Boorowa has seen more than its fair share of flooding with the recent and sustained wet weather,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is important we provide the support needed to get them through this difficult time.”
Ms Cooke was accompanied by Hilltops Mayor, Cr Marg Roles to visit various residents and businesses including the much-loved Boorowa Caravan park.
“I would encourage anyone who is seeking assistance to please reach out to my office if you have any questions,” she said.
Under the Natural Disaster Declaration (1034 AGRN) residents and businesses in the Hilltops LGA may be eligible for:
Steph Cooke | 22 Nov 2022 | Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Hilltops Council Junee Shire Local projects Narrandera Shire
Seniors living in our region now have more opportunities to get involved in the 2023 NSW Seniors Festival thanks to grant funding provided by the NSW Government.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said a number of events and programs have been successful in receiving funding as part of the festival, which is the largest celebration of seniors in the southern hemisphere.
“These community-led activities and events are a great way for seniors and help keep them connected with their local community during the NSW Seniors Festival,” Ms Cookesaid.
The local events to receive funding are:
Cootamundra Ukulele Festival Inc – Seniors Concert 2023 – $1,000
Hilltops Council – Seniors Expo – $1,000
Junee Shire Council – You, Me, Forever Young – $3,700
Narrandera Shire Council – Live Well Narrandera Expo – $972.00
Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said more than 80 community organisations across the state that have received a share in $200,000 provided by the NSW Government to host activities during the festival.
“Each of these groups are helping make the festival even bigger, giving seniors more opportunities to get involved across the State,” Mr Coure said.
“Seniors are such an important part of our local communities and I am proud to see so many organisations want to help celebrate them.”
The activities hosted by the community groups will take place during the NSW Seniors Festival, which is scheduled to run from 1-12 February 2023.
Each of the 85 activities are to provide seniors an opportunity to get involved during the festival and connect them with their local community, no matter their background or abilities.
