Steph Cooke | 11 Apr 2022 | Community Grants News Sport and Recreation Uncategorized
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced $456,720 in funding for Junee, Narrandera and Temora Shire Councils under the 2021/22 Public Library Infrastructure Grant program.
Ms Cooke said the grants are part of $6 million worth of funding for 26 public library projects across NSW.
“These are significant grants that will help our local libraries undertake a variety of measures such as increasing the programs offered at their libraries and the purchasing of new furniture,” Ms Cooke said.
“Our close-knit communities take great pride in our libraries that provide a wide range of valuable assets to the community, and cater for all ages. It is important that they have quality facilities, great collections and access to the internet, so it is wonderful to be able to assist in upgrading these critical sources to ensure they can continue to be a source of delight, entertainment, education and information.”
Projects awarded funding under the program:
Junee Shire Council, $319,110 to refurbish Junee Library increasing the usable public space in the library by removing a large service desk and office. Funds will also provide flexible furniture throughout the library, and upgrade lighting, electrical and flooring.
Narrandera Shire Council, $35,523 to enhance access to collections and increase space for programs in Narrandera Library’s children’s area. The project will include new mobile shelving, furniture, signage and technology.
Temora Shire Council, $102,087 for improvements to Temora library as the final stage of an ongoing renovation project. This phase includes painting and new signage, upgraded lighting, automatic doors and accessible entrance.
NSW Minister for the Arts, the Hon Ben Franklin said public libraries continue to grow and provide access to services that help people at all stages of their lives.
“This funding is part of the additional $60M over four years the NSW Government is providing to enhance library services and facilities across the state,” Mr Franklin said.
“The NSW Government is committed to working with councils to enhance library services and facilities across the state.
“This funding allocation brings the total of State Government support for NSW libraries in 2021/22 to a record $38.6 million.”
NSW State Librarian Dr John Vallance said the funds will enable councils to develop or improve library buildings and mobile library services.
“Two years of fires, floods and plague have left the people of New South Wales more in need of strong, safe, well-provisioned libraries than ever before. Public library funding is one of the State Government’s most significant contributions to the health of our communities.”
The Library Council of NSW, assisted by the State Library, assessed the applications for grants under the 2021/22 program.
Steph Cooke | 11 Apr 2022 | Community Environment and Heritage News Sport and Recreation Uncategorized
After years of setbacks and COVID-19 delays, thanks to grants provided by the NSW State Government, the Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre have been able to cut the ribbon and unveil their new entrance and display building.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is delighted to have been there for the celebration of this opening and said this funding was important in keeping the centre in peak condition.
“The Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre in Cowra draws in crowds of hundreds of visitors each year, contributing to the flourishing tourism sector in Cowra,” Ms Cooke said.
“The team of passionate volunteers at the centre have worked tirelessly and shown real dedication and love in all they have done to enhance this space and grow its capabilities as a tourist destination.”
Mr Ian Cameron, Manager at the Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre said he was very excited at the unveiling of this long-term project.
“What started its life as a storage shed has undergone a magical transformation and become a grand building with displays, souvenirs and even refreshments for guests.” Mr Cameron said.
“After having been postponed due to Covid-19, to be able get together for the opening of this building at our museum has been incredible, it brings joy to see visitors able to walk through and appreciate this new building.”
Further to the funding that has built the new entrance building, Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre has successfully obtained a further grant of $19,690 from The Community Building Partnership Program which will go towards building a 5-metre by 15-metre extension to the existing entrance and display building.
The Lachlan Valley Railway Heritage Centre is not just a museum, but an interactive experience and a functional facility where maintenance and restoration works are carried out. It is widely considered and promoted as Cowra’s most significant industrial heritage site.
Steph Cooke | 11 Apr 2022 | Community News Uncategorized
People in the Cootamundra electorate can celebrate their community and reconnect with neighbours and friends at local markets, carnivals, festivals and fairs, thanks to the NSW Government’s new $25 million Reconnecting Regional NSW – Community Events Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said with regional residents getting out and about again after the challenges of drought, fire, COVID and floods, the funding will help local communities reconnect once more.
“This program will support eligible regional Local Government Areas to host activities and support the events, hospitality and tourism sectors as increasing numbers of visitors return to regional NSW,” Ms Cooke said.
“The past two years have been difficult for our small communities with people disconnected from family and friends, which is why the NSW Government is backing local events that bring local communities together again.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the funding will help regional councils stage events that bring communities together, while also supporting local job creation and injecting cash into local economies.
“The NSW Government is backing events that will help to reinvigorate communities and contribute to a sense of improved wellbeing and connectedness in 2022 and beyond,” said Mr Toole.
“People are getting out again and we want to see communities thriving and businesses benefitting from more local activities, events and opportunities in the regions.”
The $25 million Community Events Program is part of the $200 million Regional Recovery Package, designed to support economic and social recovery across regional NSW by creating new jobs and supporting community events, shows and festivals to boost tourism.
Applications open Thursday 7 April 2022 for events held over the next 12 months.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has hosted the 5th annual Cootamundra Summit held at the South West Slopes Fire Control Centre in Harden Murrumburrah.
The event was well attended by representatives from the nine Local Government Areas of the Cootamundra electorate – Narrandera, Coolamon, Bland, Weddin, Cowra, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops, Junee and Temora.
“The summit is a great opportunity to catch up with local Mayors and General Managers to discuss various issues, get real-time project updates and hear about any areas of common concern,” Ms Cooke said.
“Coming together in this format means that I can take each issue forward and better advocate for our collective of small communities, something we have done on a regular basis since early on in my first-term as the local Member.”
Joining the summit virtually on the day were several of Ms Cooke’s Ministerial colleagues, including:
The Hon Dominic Perrottet, Premier of New South Wales,
The Hon Rob Stokes, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Cities and the Minister for Active Transport,
The Hon Sarah Mitchell, Minister for Education and Early Learning,
The Hon Bronnie Taylor, Minister for Regional Health, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Women, and
The Hon Dugald Saunders, Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Western New South Wales.
Those is attendance had the opportunity to raise questions and provide feedback to these Ministers on a range of issues affecting the electorate such as water and health infrastructure.
Seniors who help the Cootamundra electorate thrive have been recognised for their efforts, with member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke announcing six recipients of the Local Achievement Award as part of the 2022 NSW Seniors Festival celebrations.
Ms Cooke said this year’s recipients showcase the qualities of seniors who make our region a diverse, active and inspirational place to live.
“I congratulate and thank them for their generous contributions, remarkable skills and extensive knowledge which continues to benefit our community,” Ms Cooke said.
“The award winners were nominated by the community and highlight the many ways seniors support their families, communities and society more broadly.”
Recipients for the Cootamundra electorate Local Achievement Awards are:
Mrs Fay Richards of Temora for her work with St Paul’s Anglican Church Temora, Temora Swimming Club, Temora Rural Museum and Temora Probus Club.
Mr Kevin Richards of Temora his work with St Paul’s Anglican Church Temora, Temora Swimming Club, Temora Rural Museum and Temora Probus Club.
Mrs Beth Firman of Temora for her work with Temora Shire Council’s Australia Day celebrations, Temora and District Debutant Ball and Temora Town Hall Theatre.
Ms Rita Broad of Junee for her worth with Can Assist Junee and the Junee Regional Heritage and Transport Association.
Ms Mavis Bracken of Cootamundra for her work with Can Assist Cootamundra.
Mr Peter Stead of Coolamon for his work with Coolamon Landcare.
The Local Achievement Awards are among an array of celebrations that took place across the state as part of the 2022 NSW Seniors Festival.
Minister for Seniors, Mark Coure, said the awards program and festival are key initiatives in the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting seniors.
“NSW has an ageing population and we continue to respond to the challenges and opportunities that come with this,” Mr Coure said.
“We are striving towards our vision of creating a state where residents experience the benefits of living longer, while being able to contribute, be included and actively participate in their communities.”
The NSW Seniors Festival ran from 25 March – 3 April 2022 and is the largest festival for seniors in the Southern Hemisphere
For more information about NSW Seniors Festival and the Local Achievement Awards, please visit: seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au
Steph Cooke | 11 Apr 2022 | News Roads and Transport Uncategorized
The final design for the new permanent bridge at Wallendbeen has been completed and construction is expected to begin later this year.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this is welcome news for residents and transport operators who have been living with a temporary single-lane steel bridge after a wet weather event severely damaged the original road-over-rail bridge last year.
“With about 1000 vehicles travelling along this road corridor in each direction every day, the new bridge will bring improved travel times as it returns a two-lane crossing to motorists,” Ms Cooke said.
“The new permanent bridge has been designed to Australian Standards for bridge design, and will be wider than both the original and temporary bridge, able to accommodate B-Doubles and even larger trucks.”
“Construction is expected to begin later this year. This timeframe allows for the tender advertisement and evaluation period, the contract award and site preparation.”
“Once construction starts, it is estimated the bridge will take about a year to complete, weather permitting.”
The original two-lane bridge was removed in March last year after being damaged from a wet weather event.
Transport for NSW installed a single-lane temporary steel bridge in October 2021 to get traffic back on Burley Griffin Way as quickly as possible.
The temporary bridge will remain in place while the new bridge is built.
Transport will contact the community later this year with further information when a start date is confirmed.
NSW Rural Fire Service’s (NSW RFS) South West Slopes Zone is celebrating the official handover of a new $354,000 fire truck that will assist the Jugiong Brigade volunteers to provide a greater level of fire protection to the local community.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke joined NSW RFS Area Commander Chief Superintendent Tim Butcher on the weekend to officially hand over the keys to the CAT 1 tanker, and recognise the commitment of the Brigade’s long-serving members.
“This new, state-of-the-art vehicle is worth $354,000, but to the dedicated members of the Jugiong Rural Fire Brigade it is priceless as it will assist and strengthen their firefighting efforts,” Ms Cooke said.
“This new CAT 1 will prove itself to be an asset to the team of volunteers as they provide immeasurable assistance not only within the local community but indeed the whole of NSW and Australia in times of need.
“The NSW Government’s ongoing investment in new vehicles ensures that our RFS volunteers in Jugiong and right across this State have access to modern firefighting technology when responding to fires and a range of other incidents.”
The event also provided an opportunity to recognise nine Jugiong Brigade members who had together amassed 239 years of service to the NSW RFS. Two members were also presented with the National Emergency Medal.
Chief Superintendent Butcher said the National Emergency Medal was awarded to those whose service was in the protection of lives and property or in the service of interests that are not their own and who supported the emergency response for a minimum of five days between September 2019 and February 2020.
“I particularly wish to congratulate Kevin Fairall on his 47 years of service and receiving the National Emergency Medal, and James Grange for his 45 years of service. Kevin is currently Captain and James Deputy Captain of the Brigade,” Chief Superintendent Butcher said.
“I would like to take this time to praise all our volunteers for their ongoing efforts each and every day, particularly when dealing with emergencies here in the South West Slopes.
“These men and women remain on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we should be extremely proud and grateful for their contribution.”
Steph Cooke | 04 Apr 2022 | Community resources Grants Local projects News Uncategorized
Attending performances and functions is set to become a gala experience for Cowra residents and visitors with a major upgrade to the town’s Civic Centre, thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund.
The upgrade includes installation of a Hearing Aid Loop, automatic entrance and toilet doors, fitting of retractable raked seating in the upstairs 88-seat theatrette and recarpeting throughout.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the $337,038 grant will make the venue a more welcoming, inclusive and accessible public building.
“Arts Tourism is a key part of the NSW Government’s strategic plan, with many of our regional events designed to draw visitors, so it’s essential that the venue is able to support everyone,” Ms Cooke said.
“This will enable people with hearing impairments to use existing hearing aids to participate fully in events including stage productions, cinema screenings, conferences and civic events.”
“The fitting of automatic doors on entrances and toilets will improve access for all users, regardless of age or level of ability, and the recarpeting will remove some significant trip hazards for facility users.”
Jonathan Llewellyn, Manager at the Cowra Civic Centre said this funding to improve accessibility for all was integral to increasing the dignity, respect and independence of patrons who might have had difficulties in accessing the venue in the past.
“Along with the improvements to access and reduction in hazards, making a shift to more comfortable seating will make a difference to those patrons who find the current seating challenging, which in turn will make every experience in the theatrette more enjoyable,” Mr Llewellyn said.
“In particular by providing a hearing-loop for those patrons with hearing impairments it means we are able to overcome a hurdle for those who can find the noise from crowds overwhelming and be more inclusive to all visitors.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Tourism Activation Fund is helping establish unique tourism experiences that attract visitors and showcase what our regions have to offer.
“Projects backed through the Regional Tourism Activation Fund will give domestic and international visitors more great reasons to holiday away from the city,” Mr Toole said.
Under Stream One, grants of between $200,000 and $5 million were made available for projects delivering unique and high impact visitor experiences. Stream Two provided grants of between $50,000 to $500,000 for projects aimed at improving the accessibility and inclusion of tourism experiences for people with disability.
The $30 million Regional Tourism Activation Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $2 billion Regional Growth Fund. For more information, go to:
Steph Cooke | 31 Mar 2022 | Community resources Local projects News Uncategorized
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is strongly encouraging the Cowra community to have their say on the $70.2 million redevelopment of Cowra Hospital with the master plan released today.
Ms Cooke said the redevelopment, which will be built behind the existing hospital on the campus, will ensure patients, staff and the Cowra community have access to the high-quality health services they need close to home.
“As the Cowra Hospital redevelopment takes shape, it is crucial the community takes this opportunity to provide their feedback on the master plan to the project team,” Ms Cooke said.
“The Cowra Hospital master plan outlines the vision of Health Infrastructure for the redevelopment which includes upgraded inpatient beds, contemporary facilities and new health services including the hospital’s first CT scanner.”
The master plan released for the Cowra Hospital includes:
“I continue to advocate in the strongest possible terms to ensure we deliver a hospital that the Cowra community both expects and deserves,” Ms Cooke added.
“The feedback of the community, in addition to that of Health Clinicians and staff, is an essential part of this.”
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the existing hospital campus provided the perfect location for the upgraded Cowra Health Service, which will include new on-site parking for staff, patients and visitors.
“The project team has been working with Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) staff and clinicians as well as local stakeholders who have provided valuable input into the master plan,” Mrs Taylor said.
“This is an important project for the Cowra community, and everyone to view the master plan and provide their feedback on how we can best meet the health needs of the region.”
Four community information sessions will be held in the Nguluway Room at the Cowra Shire Council over the next fortnight where community members can drop in to view the master plan and ask the project team questions.
In-person community information session times include:
Thursday 31 March, 9.30am – 11.30am
Tuesday 5 April, 9.30am – 11.30am
Thursday 7 April, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Wednesday 13 April, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Online webinar sessions times include:
Tuesday 5 April, 5 – 6pm
Thursday 7 April, 4.30pm – 5.30pm.
The community is encouraged to register their interest by booking on (02) 9978 5432.
Construction is on track to commence in 2023 and the community will continue to be updated as planning progresses and we move towards construction.
The Cowra Hospital redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s record $10.8 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2024-25, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities. To register for online information sessions and to find out more about the redevelopment, visit www.cowrahospitalredevelopment.health.nsw.gov.au.
Steph Cooke | 29 Mar 2022 | Community resources Local projects News Uncategorized
Jobs available in regional NSW continue to grow thanks to the $75 million Newell Highway project and the Newell Highway Program Alliance.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said that to date, the Alliance has completed 23 new overtaking lanes with seven more in construction and 10 in planning.
“Work started on Tuesday March 29 on a southbound overtaking lane at Mirrool, about 15 kilometres north of Ardlethan, to provide another opportunity to pass slow-moving and heavy vehicles on the Newell,” Ms Cooke said.
“The project will support around 120 jobs, including 60 locals, and is expected to take seven months to complete, weather permitting.”
“Local shires in the Cootamundra electorate including Bland, Weddin, Narrandera and Coolamon have all benefitted in many different ways including employment, through the Newell Highway upgrade.”
Former Dubbo High School student Hailee Strawns had never considered a career in project management until the NSW Infrastructure Traineeship Program opened her eyes to a new world of opportunity.
Hailee, who completed Year 12 in 2019, came across the traineeship program while studying a Diploma of Business at the University of NSW.
She began her traineeship with Transport for NSW in Dubbo and has now started an eight-month rotation with the Newell Highway Program Alliance, a partnership delivering approximately 40 new overtaking lanes along the full length of the Newell Highway.
“I thought the traineeship was an amazing opportunity for school leavers, especially for regional people,” Hailee said.
“Once I started the traineeship with Transport for NSW, I realised project management was a lot like business – it had many similarities and I loved that.”
Work will be carried out on a two-week roster, weather permitting:
Week 1: 7am to 6pm from Tuesday to Friday, 8am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Week 2: 7am to 6pm from Monday to Thursday, no work from Friday to Monday.
For the safety of motorists and workers, changed traffic conditions will be in place including reduced speed limits of 40 km/h and 60 km/h during work hours and 80 km/h after hours.
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of all signs and traffic control.
