Gundagai’s oldest building, The Old Mill, will be restored to its former glory and transformed into an agri-tourism destination, thanks to the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund.
Nationals Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said a $687,530 grant will enable structural works to be undertaken which will stabilise the historically significant building as well as the addition of access ramps, veranda upgrades, and renovated bathroom facilities.
“It is great to be able to bring the oldest building in Gundagai back to life to serve as a hub for residents and visitors alike, and allow it to once again play a crucial role in the community as it did when it was constructed in 1848 as a flour mill,” Ms Cooke said.
“The Old Mill is a historically significant building having withstood the catastrophic 1852 flood, which will no doubt bring tourists from afar to see the restored mill that played such an important role in our region.”
Gundagai resident Gordon Lindley, who has been heavily involved in the project, thanked the NSW Government and Steph Cooke for their support of the project.
“This building was the last one standing in the old Gundagai floodplain township where over 80 people lost their lives so it is very important to the history of Gundagai,” Mr Lindley said.
“As part of the project we will also be working closely with the local Wiradjuri people given its significance to heroes Yarri and Jacky Jacky.”
“This is a project the community has been working on for a while now and I must also give credit to Miriam Crane, Manager of Community and Culture at the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council for her hard work in applying for this grant.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the Regional Tourism Activation Fund is helping establish unique tourism experiences that attract visitors and showcase what our regions have to offer.
“Projects backed through the Regional Tourism Activation Fund will give domestic and international visitors more great reasons to holiday away from the city,” Mr Toole said.
Under Stream One, grants of between $200,000 and $5 million were made available for projects delivering unique and high impact visitor experiences. Stream Two provided grants of between $50,000 to $500,000 for projects aimed at improving the accessibility and inclusion of tourism experiences for people with disability.
The $30 million Regional Tourism Activation Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $2 billion Regional Growth Fund. For more information, go to:
