Jabour Park in South Grafton, used by the Grafton Vintage Car Club as well as touch footy teams, is one of a number of local public reserves set for a spruce-up thanks to grants totalling more $200,000 from the NSW Nationals in the state government.
Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said fires, floods and drought have hit the local community hard in recent years, with visitor numbers down because of the pandemic.
“But community treasures from the Koala Reserve in Iluka to the Dirawong Reserve at Evans Head and the twin river islands in Grafton all deserve a bit of TLC and that is what the Nationals in Government are funding here.”
Mr Gulaptis said the funding, which he described as “good news for people and bad news for weeds”, would be allocated for worthy public reserve and community hall rejuvenation from Glenreagh to Evans Head.
Successful projects are:
- Glenreagh Recreation Reserve: $65,453 to upgrade office and canteen;
- Susan and Elizabeth Islands, Clarence River, Grafton: $47,491 for weed control;
- Jabour Park, South Grafton: $29,535 to upgrade sports field;
- Harwood Island Hall: $29,314 for fit out;
- Iluka Koala Reserve: $6897 for path, signs and benches;
- Dirawong Reserve, Evans Head: $20,000 for weed control;
- Copmanhurst War Memorial Hall: $14,616 to fix water damage;
Nationals Minister for Lands, Kevin Anderson, said Crown reserves are important for business, tourism, recreation and biodiversity.
“Crown land covers around 34 million hectares or 42 per cent of NSW and we have about 35,000 Crown reserves that accommodate parks, community halls, nature areas, showgrounds, sporting facilities, camping areas and walking tracks,” Mr Anderson said.
The Grafton Vintage Motor Vehicle Club will hold its annual Motorfest at Jabour Park on Sunday, March 27, after it was postponed last year due to COVID restrictions.
