Five major community infrastructure projects will be delivered in Kempsey Shire through the NSW Nationals in the federal government’s $1.5 billion Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program designed to support local jobs and businesses as the region recovers from COVID-19.
Kempsey Shire Council has received a total of $1,160,000 through this program to construct new bicycle and walkway paths and to deliver improvements to towns and public spaces right across the valley.
NSW Nationals Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said getting shovels in the ground to construct these five projects is expected to support 56 local jobs over the coming year.
“Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our local community, which is why our 2020-21 Federal Budget included programs like the JobMaker Hiring Credit to encourage businesses to employ young jobseekers,” he said.
“The Deputy Prime Minister also moved swiftly to allocate $1.5 billion funding for the construction of community infrastructure and road upgrades back in June and today I am announcing the projects Kempsey Shire Council will be delivering.”
The projects being delivered through the Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program include:
Rankine Street Public Realm Activation, Crescent Head – $400,000
Implementation of the Crescent Head Public Domain Plan in the village centre at Rankine Street. Footpaths will be widened, accessibility improved, and landscaping completed to greatly enhance the space.
Footpath, Horseshoe Bay, South West Rocks – $60,000
This project completes a missing link of footpath between the newly constructed beach access footpath and the public amenities and kiosk at Horseshoe Bay.
Parking, footpaths, landscaping and picnic and barbecue facilities at Back Creek, South West Rocks – $250,000
Constructing footpaths, as well as improving access to community facilities at Back Creek. Picnic shelters and barbecue facilities will also be built and the area will be landscaped.
Car park refurbishment, Clyde Street, Kempsey CBD – $350,000
The current carpark is failing and has poor parking configuration and pedestrian access. This project will construct an off-road carpark in Clyde Street to significantly enhance the amenity of the location through $350,000 from this program and $538,691 from Kempsey Shire Council. This work will complement current works to replace the public amenities.
New concrete bridge – Christmas Creek, Saleyards Road, Kempsey – $100,000
The current wooden bridge over Christmas Creek on Saleyards Road has aged and is being replaced. This project replaces the bridge with a new concrete bridge through $100,000 from this program and $150,000 from Kempsey Shire Council.
Grants total: $1,160,000
Kempsey Shire Mayor Liz Campbell welcomed the funding and approval of the nominated projects for her region by the NSW Nationals in the federal government.
“Council has invested a great deal of time to identify a range of projects that could be fast-tracked or implemented immediately to boost our local economy and provide real, tangible improvements for our community,” Cr Campbell said.
“Paths, picnic and barbecue areas, bridges and carparks are some physical benefits this program will bring to our much-loved public spaces. We are also focused on making these spaces feel welcoming and friendly, so people want to visit and use them.
“The fact that local jobs are being supported and work is going to local contractors is the icing on the cake.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the projects funded under the program will improve the quality of life of Australians and have lasting economic and social benefits for local communities.
“Our funding boost will help communities across Australia accelerate priority projects to get people into jobs and stimulate our economy,” he said.
“We know how important our support is to communities who have faced the combined effects of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, which is why we are backing projects to create employment and business opportunities while cutting travel times, as well as making our roads and communities safer.”
In May 2020, the NSW Nationals in the federal government also pre-paid $1.3 billion of this year’s Financial Assistance Grant to provide untied funding for all local councils across Australia to spend on local priorities. More information on other Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program projects being constructed in Cowper is available at https://patconaghan.com.au/a-total-of-30-new-infrastructure-projects-to-be-constructed-in-cowper.
