Seven is the Central Highlands’ lucky number this week as Member for Flynn, Ken O’Dowd announced $77,700 of successful grant funding under the Australian Government’s Stronger Communities Programme in partnership with Central Highlands Regional Council.
It is great to be in Emerald here at the Emerald Botanic Gardens to announce these projects; Mr O’Dowd said he was looking forward to seeing a new rotunda built on the site for the Emerald Parkrun people.
‘There are five successful projects in the Central Highlands this round,’ Mr O’Dowd explained.
‘What’s great is they cover all points of this big region. We have a refurbishment at the Anakie Hall; repainting of the Peak Downs Community Hall, some maintenance work at the Comet Showground; a disability access ramp at Bauhinia Downs Hall; and a shade shelter here at the gardens in Emerald.’
The Stronger Communities Programme provides grants of between $2500 and $20 000 to community organisations and councils for capital projects. The third round of the programme committed $22.5 million for community-based projects across the country.
Central Highlands’ Mayor Kerry Hayes was equally pleased.
‘It’s the right time of year to receive a gift and our communities will certainly feel festive when they hear this good news,’ he said.
The grants are jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Central Highlands Regional Council and work will be completed by 30 June 2017.