Hilltops Community Projects Receive Funding Boost

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has announced $2,259,410 for projects in Harden, Murrumburrah and Young in the Hilltops region under the NSW Government’s latest round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.

Ms Cooke announced the successful projects on Monday afternoon joined by members of the community at the Murrumburrah Silos and the Harden Bowling Club.

“The diverse range of projects will ensure the area is fit for the future for both residents and visitors,” Ms Cooke said.

“It is great to see so many worthy organisations putting their plans forward for the benefit of the wider community.”

President of the Harden Bowling Club Shane McKellar said the funding will go towards well overdue upgrades.

“It’s unbelievable that our plans that have been in the making for years, can finally become a reality,” Mr McKellar said.

Secretary Treasurer of the Harden Murrumburrah Arts Council Lorraine Brown said the group is very excited to be able to complete the other side of the silos.

“When you drive into town from the Western side, the silos are bare so we are excited that we can now fill that space with wonderful artwork,” Ms Brown added.

“We’re going to continue the theme of Colonial Australia with paintings of the Gold Rush to reflect the history of Murrumburrah.”

The funding from round four of the fund has been spread across eight projects, each of which is set to benefit the community including:

• $469,360 to upgrade the riding arena including covering at the Young Pony Club

• $50,000 to construct new seating and shading at the Harden District Bowling Club

• $164,471 to improve jockey amenities at the Harden Racecourse

• $92,763 to complete silo art at the former Murrumburrah Flour Mill

• $295,245 for refurbishments to the Southern Cross Hall including sound and lighting

• $792,416 for Lambing Flat Enterprises to upgrade the Community Connections building including improving site accessibility

• $102,645 for court refurbishments at the Young PCYC sport courts

• $292,510 for improvements to facilities at Toompang Racecourse

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.

• Topics:

• Grant / Funding
• Community Groups