New projects that will facilitate the flow of money through local economies, generate jobs and support local businesses will soon start rolling out across Coonamble Shire Council with the NSW Nationals in Government confirming $600,000 in funding.
Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said funding from the $170 million Drought Stimulus Package will allow Coonamble Shire to start work on projects that will generate work for local trades and suppliers and deliver other benefits to the community.
Mr Farraway joined with Coonamble Councillors and Mayor Al Karanouh to announce the successful projects.
“$400,000 will go towards a new and enhanced Coonamble Visitor Information Centre, providing Council with additional opportunities to leverage an untapped tourism market,” Mr Farraway said.
“Adding to the appeal of the Coonamble Shire, $200,000 has been funded to install sculpture art across eight sites including the new Coonamble Visitor Information Centre and the entrances of Coonamble, Quambone and Gulargambone.
“An Information Centre will play a significant role in securing a strong economic future for the community by increasing visitor traffic to businesses, increasing visitor length of stay and providing an outlet for the merchandising of local art and produce.
“This will all come together with other beautification efforts like the art installations to enhance the Coonamble region’s appeal as a tourist destination.”
Coonamble Shire Council Mayor, Cr Al Karanouh said he was very happy to receive the funding.
“We are very grateful to the State Government for this funding which will help us to finish our new Visitor Information Centre and provide an opportunity for local people to create public art,” Cr Karanouh said.
“There is great potential to develop our local tourism offering. These projects will make great progress in building a foundation for local tourism and will provide the additional benefit of having local people hands-on and involved.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the NSW Nationals in Government had worked side-by-side with local councils to ensure that funding is allocated to projects that will benefit the community, support jobs and stimulate the local economy.
“We are funding big projects to help towns move towards recovery, measures that relieve financial stress for farmers and water infrastructure to boost drought resilience, but it is just as important to support local businesses and communities,” Mr Barilaro said.
The Drought Stimulus Package has funded shovel ready infrastructure projects and emergency water security projects, putting cash into the economies of the state’s hardest hit drought areas as well as towns doing it tough.
More than $2 billion has been made available through the NSW Nationals in Government’s Emergency Drought Relief Package, while regional water security is a focus of the $1 billion Safe and Secure Water program and the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund.
For further information about the Drought Stimulus Package, go to www.nsw.gov.au/droughtstimuluspackage.
