Communities throughout Gannawarra Shire, Victoria, are starting to benefit from funding provided by the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension.
Council is eligible to apply for $2 million in funding after the Federal Government determined in September 2019 that Gannawarra Shire Council is a drought-declared municipality.
Thirty-seven initiatives, activities, events and infrastructure projects are set to benefit from Stage 1 of the funding, with these works required to be completed by 30 June 2020.
Mayor, Lorraine Learmonth, said, “Council liaised with community groups and organisations throughout the Gannawarra to determine the list of projects, events and initiatives that would benefit from this funding.
“The Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants Program is also a beneficiary of this Federal Government funding, with 17 groups and organisations sharing in $38,000 of support.”
Three initiatives funded by the Drought Communities Programme – Extension have already been held – the Cohuna New Year’s Eve Street Party, Kerang’s New Year’s Eve Party in the Park, and the New Year’s Eve Party in Apex Park, Koondrook.
“Planning is underway for a number of other community events and initiatives that have received support from the Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants Program, including the 2020 Cohuna Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society Show, Getting Quamby Moving – 10 week exercise program and the Wild Ibis Club Bush Dance.”
The next of the 37 initiatives, activities, events and infrastructure projects that will benefit from the first $1 million of the programme’s funding is underway.
The first of these projects improved gravel access to the Macorna Recreation Reserve and was completed in early February.
“These works will benefit Macorna residents who use the reserve’s clubrooms as a community facility, as well as Golden Rivers Football Netball League players and spectators.”
Final discussions are occurring with regards to determining which initiatives, activities, events and infrastructure projects will benefit from the $1 million of Stage 2 funding from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension, with these works required to be completed by
31 December 2020.
