Tag Archives: Grants

Applications are now open for innovative ideas to boost public access to the region’s most significant heritage places and stimulate the local economy.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this is a fantastic opportunity for the community to get involved to celebrate our rich heritage.   

“We are lucky to have many incredible heritage sites throughout the electorate and I’m excited to hear ideas on how we can reinvigorate these sites to draw people in to learn and experience more about the history of the area,” Ms Cooke said.

“Across the state, $5 million in funding is available to support heritage projects and I encourage everyone to be part of this opportunity to enhance our heritage spaces.”

Minister for Heritage James Griffin said the NSW Heritage Grants program is now in its 44^th year and, for the first time ever, a $1 million matched funding grant program will be trialled.

“The $1 million matched funding grant trial is designed to protect and promote NSW heritage by incentivising owners and custodians to revitalise state heritage listed sites and bring them back to life,” Mr Griffin said.

“We want to see applications that engage communities in our rich heritage, contribute to community wellbeing, and support economic activity within local areas.”

“The Heritage Grants are all about revitalising some of our most meaningful places in NSW, and preserving them for our future generations.”

The 2023-2025 NSW Heritage Grants program has six categories, including:

• The new Activating State Heritage Grant where one successful applicant will be awarded $1 million in matched funding.
• Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Grants where applicants can apply for up to $80,000.
• Caring for State Heritage Grants where applicants can apply for up to $150,000.
• Community Heritage Grants where applicants can apply for up to $50,000.
• Emergency Works Grants to help address emergency situations at state significant sites.
• Local Government Heritage Grants program designed for NSW local councils.

Examples of previous grant recipients can be found here.

For more information, including guidelines and applications, visit the Heritage NSW website at www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/grants

The construction of a new hanger and club room at the Cowra and District Aero Club is steaming ahead thanks to the NSW Governments $325,485 investment into the project under Round 3 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund. 

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke recently visited the site at the Cowra Airport alongside Cowra and District Aero Club members and Mayor Bill West to view the major developments.

“The new facilities will be a great asset to the Cowra and District Aero Club who provide high-quality flight training to people of all ages who are interested in aviation, whether it be for leisure or to pursue a career as a qualified pilot,” Ms Cooke said.

“The club is really making its mark in the industry as being an outstanding choice for those seeking out highly professional flight training with students enrolling from as far as Sydney and Canberra.”

“Cowra has become a great hub for those wanting to learn foundational aviation skills in a regional setting.”

The Cowra Aero Club currently offers three types of training including an introductory trial instructional flight, obtaining a Recreational Aviation Australia certificate and the more advanced Cross Country Endorsement.

Cowra and District Aero Club President and Senior Instructor David Shaw said that the previous facilities were no longer meeting the ever growing demand.

“The old hangar had to be dismantled and the old club room acted as the terminal, which ultimately pushed the club into a side room that was no longer sufficient for the needs of training new pilots,” Mr Shaw said.

“These new upgrades will allow us to increase our current capabilities, expanding on teaching and becoming a better facility to introduce young people in particular to all aspects of aviation.”

“The new hangar and clubroom will enable us to continue training future pilots as a Recreational Aviation Australia flying school and act as a stepping stone for those who seek to not only be a recreational pilot, but those who wish to train and become a commercial pilot or pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force, or even those who hope to become involved in the maintenance or engineering aspects of aviation professions.”

The concrete pour is expected next week with door installation to follow before moving onto the construction of the club room section.

The group is holding a club day this Sunday May 1 for all of its 36 members which is a great opportunity to catch up socially and revise their skills.

The West Wyalong Show is gearing up for a huge two days of events in 2022, thanks to NSW Government support through the Country Shows Support Package.

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said the Country Shows Support Package, which has already delivered $99,513 to country shows around the Cootamundra electorate has another recipient, with the West Wyalong Show Society Inc to receive $13,677 to support the delivery of the 2022 West Wyalong show.

“These grants will provide certainty to show organisers to lock in suppliers, hire equipment and purchase goods ahead of this year’s show in September, which is also great news for local businesses,” Ms Cooke said.

“Our local shows are a fantastic tradition and this grant will ensure they continue to delight people and be a part of our history for many generations to come.”

“I encourage everyone to get behind their local show and see all the amazing things they have to offer. From best-grown squash, to wood chopping, petting zoos and watching which dog takes out best in show, there is something for everyone to enjoy at our country and agricultural shows.”

Diane Redman, President of the West Wyalong Show Society Inc said that the commitment by the NSW Government to country shows after a tough couple of years is greatly appreciated by all members of the society.

“We are looking forward to bringing the show back in 2022 bigger and better than ever,” Mrs Redman added.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $5 million Country Shows Support Package provides a funding opportunity for the 190 agricultural shows that are planned across NSW in 2022.

“It’s been a tough few years for country shows, with drought, bushfires, storms, floods and COVID-19 disrupting plans, but as they say, the show must go on and these grants are helping make that happen,” Mr Toole said.

“Country shows are the heartbeat of so many rural communities – they not only celebrate the best of the best in the community but allow visitors to experience the tastes, sights and sounds of the bush.”

The $5 million Country Shows Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, which will deliver long term support and certainty for the regions as the state reopens.

Applications are open until Friday, 29 April 2022, or when funding is exhausted. For further information, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/CountryShows.

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:

www.nsw.gov.au/RTAFund.

Warbird flight simulators will soon land at the Temora Aviation Museum, giving more people an opportunity to explore the sky, thanks to the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said $438,110 in funding will help install aP40 Kittyhawk, P51 Mustang and Spitfire full motion flight simulators, making Temora the only destination in Australia with this type of attraction.

“These simulators will ensure the Temora Aviation Museum remains a unique and iconic tourism destination in the Riverina and it’s fantastic to be able to provide unique tourist attractions that aren’t on offer anywhere else in Australia,” Ms Cooke said.

“The experience will include a pre-flight briefing, similar to combat flights in World War Two, from there people will take to the sky in a fully immersive experience where they will feel the turns and bumps of a real flight.”

“The upgrades also include a self-guided audio tour through a handheld wand or mobile app, allowing visitors to start and stop the tour in their own time, providing subtitles for the hearing impaired and access to multimedia on personal devices.”

Peter Harper, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Temora Aviation Museum said the project is such an exciting prospect for not only the museum but the whole of Temora.

“We will be able to change from being just a museum, and instead become an experience that the whole family can enjoy,” Mr Harper said.

“In addition to providing the self-guided tours, which complement our group of hard-working and passionate volunteers, means the Temora Aviation Museum will be an affordable, inclusive and unique experience for all.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Tourism Activation Fund is helping establish unique tourism experiences attracting visitors and showcasing what our regions have to offer.

“Projects backed through the Regional Tourism Activation Fund will give domestic and international visitors more 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: www.nsw.gov.au/RTAFund

Country shows in Cowra, Gundagai and Woodstock are coming back bigger than ever in 2022, thanks to NSW Government support through the Country Shows Support Package.

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said the Country Shows Support Package has delivered funding for three shows in the Cootamundra electorate including $30,000 for the 2022 Cowra Spring Show, $27,919 for the 2022 Gundagai Show and $30,000 for the 2022 Woodstock Memorial Show.

“These grants will provide certainty to show organisers to lock in suppliers, hire equipment and purchase goods, which is also great news for local businesses,” Ms Cooke said.

“Our local shows are a fantastic tradition and this grant will ensure they continue to delight people and be a part of our history for many generations to come.”

“I encourage everyone to get behind their local show and see all the amazing things they have to offer” Ms Cooke said.

“From best grown squash, to wood chopping, petting zoos and watching which dog takes out best in show, there is something for everyone at our country and agricultural shows and it is something the whole family can enjoy together”

“Just recently I attended the 2022 Gundagai show to help out as I have done for the past five years, and it was absolutely amazing seeing so many people enjoying what the show had to offer.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the $5 million Country Shows Support Package provides a funding opportunity for the 190 agricultural shows that are planned across NSW in 2022.

“It’s been a tough few years for country shows, with drought, bushfires, storms, floods and COVID-19 disrupting plans, but as they say, the show must go on and these grants are helping make that happen,” Mr Toole said.

“Country shows are the heartbeat of so many rural communities – they not only celebrate the best of the best in the community but allow visitors to experience the tastes, sights and sounds of the bush.

“It’s also a big win for competitors who have spent years perfecting events like wood-chopping, show jumping or baking, as they can now focus on earning the points needed to compete at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.”

The $5 million Country Shows Support Package is part of the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package, which will deliver long term support and certainty for the regions as the state reopens.

Applications are open until Friday, 29 April 2022, or when funding is exhausted. For further information, including program guidelines and eligibility criteria, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/CountryShows.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke recently announced a total of $36,533 in funding to help upgrade two local men’s sheds.

Gundagai Men’s shed will be receiving $26,515 to install a new and improved ventilation system and also to install a reverse cycle ducted air conditioning system.

“These improvements to the Gundagai Men’s Shed will ensure members can utilise the space in comfortable conditions all year around,” Ms Cooke said.

President of the Gundagai Men’s Shed Tony Tunstell said the shed’s members and the wider community greatly appreciate the funding being provided for better ventilation.

“When the call went out for shovel ready projects this project had been identified for a long time and COVID-19 pushed it to the top,” Mr Tunstell said.

“It will have a significant impact on our health and safety outcomes by removing potentially harmful dust particles in our work environment. The new reverse cycle system will also help us maintain a comfortable temperature during our hottest and coldest months of the year.”

Coolamon Men’s Shed is also set to benefit with $10,018 being provided to install a 6.65-kilowatt solar power system.

“Costs will be greatly reduced by the new system making operations more sustainable for present and future members,” Ms Cooke added.

Coolamon Men’s Shed Secretary Peter Condon said the installation of solar panels will help keep the shed’s electricity costs down and let the group shift their focus back onto their work.

“We are a small club with around 12 active members who just like working with their hands and enjoy tackling all sorts of jobs,” Mr Condon said.

“Men’s sheds are community-based organisations that do a fantastic job by providing men with a welcoming place to work on projects and make friends,” Ms Cooke added.

“They support men to keep active and productive, learn new skills, and share knowledge and experience which contributes positively to the community.”

Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said $1.62 million was being allocated statewide for improvements to men’s sheds, as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 stimulus program.

“Men’s sheds are places where men can hang out with mates, learn to build things, pass on skills, and give back to their local community,” Mr Anderson said.

“A study by Beyond Blue found men’s shed members can even fare better on physical functioning, general health, vitality and mental health.”

Australian Men’s Shed Association NSW President John Sharples said the upgrade projects would empower men and create renewed interest.

“We have 377 sheds in NSW with about 20,000 members and this stimulus funding will make a big difference,” Mr Sharples said.

“By improving infrastructure and making workplaces better and safer, we will be able to create a supportive environment that provides opportunities for members to contribute their men’s shed and the wider community.”

Aboriginal children and children from low income families in the Cootamundra electorate will have additional support to participate in 600 hours of quality early childhood education in the two years prior to school.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said that five services situated in the Bland, Junee and Hilltops local government areas, will receive grants that will allow local preschool students to engage and learn in their earliest years.

“Grants of up to $10,000 have been approved for a range of activities to support participation by Aboriginal children and children from low income families in a preschool program,” Ms Cooke said.

“Between bushfires and COVID-19, our community has faced a number of challenges over the past few years. Early learning services play a critical role in supporting children and families. It’s fantastic to see this funding being made available to support the work of these services in our region.”

For the first time, Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services and Aboriginal Child and Family Centres operating in NSW were included in this program.

Funding may be used for a range of activities that improve participation in early childhood education, including working with local Aboriginal community members to conduct Aboriginal art programs, and providing breakfast programs.

Elizabeth Robbie, Centre Director of Goodstart Early learning Junee, said the centre has wonderful plans with the $8832.44 they are set to receive.

“The centre plans on using the funding to engage local Wiradjuri woman, artist and educator Terri Anne O’Brien to run an art program with our children and commissioned a piece we produce as a community that will be displayed in the service,” Ms Robbie said.

“We also have plans underway for the funding to allow us to purchase raised garden beds to provide children the space to make choices about what they would like to plant, cook and eat while learning valuable lessons.”

The successful recipients of the grants in the Cootamundra electorate include:

• $7,000 to Young Preschool Kindergarten
• $10,000 to Bland Preschool
• $8,832.44 to Goodstart Early Learning Junee
• $8,217.02 to Goodstart Early Learning Young
• $10,000 to the Bland Shire Mobile Resource Unit

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said these grants will enable services in the Cootamundra electorate to provide educational activities that will strengthen the foundations of children’s learning in those crucial years before school.

“The NSW Government is committed to increasing educational access to quality early childhood education services, particularly for children from low income families and those from Aboriginal families,” Ms Mitchell said.

“They’ll also be able to provide access to specialised staff to deliver targeted support to children and their families.”

Payments to eligible and successful services will be made from late December 2021.

For more information, visit the Department of Education website.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP has announced $789,141 from the fourth round of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund for projects in the Temora Shire.

This latest round of NSW Government funding has been spread across seven projects, each of which is set to benefit the communities across the Temora Shire.

• $70,000 to modify the existing storage room at the Temora Recreation Ground into change rooms for women’s rugby players
• $50,000 to provide upgrades at the Ariah Park Recreation Ground involving modifications to the junior netball change rooms, widening of the netball court, provision of additional seating and shade and construction of an outdoor gym
• $130,000 for the construction of a splash park and purchase of a disability hoist for the Temora Recreation Centre
• $130,000 to widen and resurface the existing netball courts at Nixon Park Sporting Complex
• $54,141 to install shade sails at Nixon Park and Lake Centenary, as well as installing solar lighting at Lake Centenary.
• $267,800 to provide much needed inclusive sporting and recreational shooting facilities in the region that will help service the shooting sporting needs of the region at the Temora Sport Shooting Complex
• $87,200 for the construction of a new entranceway and enclosed walkway at the Bundawarrah Centre to provide new entrance space for the Temora Rural Museum

Ms Cooke welcomed the funding announcement of these projects with Temora Council and community representatives at the Temora Recreation Centre.

“Projects like these are built upon the NSW Government’s vision to help make regional NSW be the best place to live, work and visit,” Ms Cooke said.

“There is such a wide range of projects going ahead in Temora, from sporting facility upgrades to upgrades to the Bundawarrah Centre. It is great to see how dedicated the Temora Shire is to enhance and further develop their facilities to better their communities.

“The latest round of funding takes the total amount of funding through the Stronger Country Communities Fund for projects across the Temora Shire to $3,905,079,”

Acting Mayor for the Temora Shire Council, Rick Firman is thankful for the continued support over the four rounds of funding.

“This funding is so much more than we’ve ever expected. The projects funded through the Stronger Country Communities Fund have and will continue to enhance so many aspects of the shire, whether cultural, sports or other community projects,” Mr Firman said.

Tracey Defina, Executive Assistant of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. said this funding will have a huge impact for their current members.

“Our facility will bring visitors from surrounding areas to Temora, which is great for tourism. We would like to thank member and former board member Warren Brown for his hard work and advocacy to obtain this funding,” Ms Defina said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole announced that 435 projects across every single one of the state’s 93 regional Local Government Areas (LGAs) would receive funding under Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Four.

“The Stronger Country Communities fund delivers guaranteed investment in every single regional LGA in NSW, and has seen $500 million invested across more than 1900 local projects since 2017,” Mr Toole said.

“About half of this latest $100 million round will deliver 189 female sporting projects, including the construction or upgrade of female change rooms, additional amenity blocks and bathrooms, and playing surfaces like netball and tennis courts.

“It will also deliver hundreds of projects that make everyday life in the regions easier, for things like new playgrounds, clubhouse, art gallery renovations, streetscape, accessibility, lighting upgrades and community programs.”

The Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, which alongside the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund is delivering infrastructure and programs that generate opportunities, investment and jobs.

For more information, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/SCCF.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke announced new funding supporting multicultural communities in Cowra.

Ms Cooke said $28,000 was awarded to the Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre for a grassroots community project.

“Our local community is better-off through the work of the Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre,” Ms Cooke said.

“This grant will help the helpers. It will support many volunteers in our community who are making a difference in this difficult time as we continue to recover from the Delta outbreak.

“I commend the Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre for their incredible work during the Delta outbreak supporting vulnerable people in our community who have faced unprecedented hardship during the pandemic.”

The grant will help develop the Cowra Covid Resilience project which will provide information to the community about COVID-19 transmission, testing and vaccination.