Federal Nationals Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has welcomed more than $10 million in funding under the Growing Regions Program.
Mr McCormack said he was really pleased the communities of Wagga Wagga, Cowra, and Parkes will be receiving funding to support the development of local community and economic infrastructure.
“Wagga Wagga City Council is set to receive $4.49 million to develop the Lake Albert Water Sports and Event Precinct, part of which will include the remediation of the foreshore, the installation of pumps and pipes as well as upgrades to the existing Lake Albert weir and spillway system,” Mr McCormack said.
“This project is absolutely vital and I was pleased to support Council in its endeavours to secure funding for it.
“Wagga Wagga Mayor Cr Dallas Tout described the funding as ‘fantastic’ and it is hoped, with this investment, infrastructure will be put in place to mitigate the risk of blue-green algae outbreaks. I know this is something that has been long called-for by the community.
“I want to see families enjoying the lake, participating in water sports as they once did and using it to its full potential as a hub for community events.”
Mr McCormack said he was also pleased to see Cowra Shire Council will be allocated $4.89 million to rebuild the Cowra Aquatic Centre.
“It was well known that the facility was ageing and damaged; and Council just didn’t have the money available to deliver any upgrades
“When I told Mayor Cr Ruth Fagan about the funding, she was absolutely ecstatic.”
Mayor Fagan said Cowra Shire Council had been “waiting for the funding for so long” and it was “so exciting” to see it finally delivered.
Mr McCormack said Parkes Shire Council has been awarded almost $944,000 for bird-hides and boardwalks in the Parkes Wetlands.
The Parkes Wetlands are situated on the site of the town’s old sewage treatment plant maturation ponds and were finally converted into wetlands in August 2023, thanks in part to the Former Nationals Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Mayor Cr Neil Westcott described the funding as “wonderful news.”
