Groups across the Murrumbidgee Council area have reaped the benefits of community funding.
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The Stronger Communities Fund was established so that council could kick-start local projects
Community groups were able to apply for grants of up to $50,000.
Funding grants in Coleambally has included a new storage shed at Coleambally Preschool, a new ride-on lawn mower for Coly Lions Club Coleambally, refurbishment of the Coleambally squash courts and new gym equipment, rubber flooring, commercial fans at the local gym.
Darlington Point has also benefited with the addition of a new BBQ and bench at Darlington Point Lions Club Park, new solar panels on shed at Heritage Darlington Point and air conditioning for the Darlington Point Hall.
Funding was allocated across three categories.
The first stream was $5 million made available to Murrumbidgee Council in order to properly merge the two former shires. Any unspent funds are transferred to other streams.
As Murrumbidgee Council prepares to earmark funds in the third and final stage of the Stronger Community Fund (SCF), an update of projects already financed is being provided.
The Stronger Community Fund comprises three funding streams.
Another component makes up the the Community Grants Program (CGP), providing $1.5m in funding for not-for-profit community organisations for grants of up to $50,000.
Council announced the recipients of Round One grants totalling $1.014m to 33 organisations within the Council area in November last year.
RELATED:
A second round of grants totalling $518,995 to 24 organisations was released in May 2017.
Projects funded as part of the CGP are at various stages of completion.
Council’s General Manager Craig Moffitt said it was great to see some of the projects already getting off the ground.
“This was always going to be a big job for everyone concerned. It’s good to see the projects which have been completed and that so many are ready to proceed.
“Staff are engaging local tradesmen wherever possible to help get these projects completed.”
The third and final category is the Major Projects Fund (MPF).
Murrumbidgee Council adopted a Priority Projects Register at its a meeting in July.
Council also endorsed the recommendation of the Assessment Panel to fund 11 projects from the MPF in the amount of $521,364 in November last year.
Approximately $8.3m remains available for projects in the SCF and this amount includes approximately $300,000 in interest that has been earned on the original grant of $10m since June 2016.
The Assessment Panel will meet at the end of November to consider the (Council nominated) projects, with community engagement to follow.
Round One completed projects include:
- Jerilderie Community Gym (New gym equipment)
- Coleambally Sweatbox Community Gym (New gym equipment, rubber flooring, commercial fans, TV's and DVD)
- Coleambally Preschool (Solar panels)
- Coleambally Lions Club (New ride-on lawn mower)
- Coleambally Preschool (Storage shed and resurfacing of preschool floor) Jerilderie Tennis Club (Reroofing of Jerilderie Sports Club building)
- Coleambally Lions Club (Bucyrus Dragline painted)
- Coleambally Chamber of Commerce (Equipment for community events for organisations across the Council area)
- Coleambally Squash Club (Squash Court Refurbishment) Riverina Vintage Machinery Club,
- Coleambally (Purchase of portable building with disabled access ramp to landing)
- Coleambally Chamber of Commerce (Artist workshops) Anglican Parish of Coleambally Darlington Point (Installation air conditioning at Darlington Point Hall)
- Coleambally Golf Club Inc (Automatic watering systems for fairways 3, 9, 1 and 6),
- Jerilderie Public School P & C (Changing the bark in the playground to soft fall rubber)
- Jerilderie Arts and Talent Society (Sound equipment, smoke machine and headsets)
- Jerilderie CWA (Upgrade CWA facilities to provide disabled facilities)
- Coleambally Chamber of Commerce (Sewing machines, overlockers and tables)
- Murrumbidgee Shire Experiment Farm, Coleambally (Developing land for farming)
- Darlington Point Lions Club (BBQ and bench at Darlington Point Lions Club Park)
- Heritage Darlington Point (Addition of solar panels on shed)
Round Two completed projects include:
- Coleambally Preschool (Shade Sails & Floor Resurfacing)
- Fusion Drop-in Centre (Coleambally youth development)
- Jerilderie Tennis Club (Upgrade greens, flags and putting cups)
- Jerilderie Men’s Shed (Purchase of property)
- St Joseph’s Parent's and Friends Inc (Play area soft fall and shade sail)
