The Albanese Government is helping New South Wales' regions to thrive by investing almost $80 million in community infrastructure that will improve the lives of locals.
16 projects will share in the funding, which will go towards building or upgrading social infrastructure - such as cultural and sporting hubs, town precincts and parks - that strengthen community and boost regional economies.
This is part of the Albanese Government's initiative to empower councils and local groups to build places to gather that promote connection and shape everyday lives.
We are investing $4.3 million in the Mittagong Memorial Hall Playhouse restoration to transform the old Playhouse into a fully-functional, fit-for purpose performance venue.
The project will integrate the Playhouse with the School of Arts and the old Mittagong Council Building to create a thriving cultural centre to draw visitors to the Southern Highlands.
Three aquatic facilities will also receive funding, including $4.19 million for the John Houston Memorial Pool in Hay, $9 million for the Tamworth Northern Inland Aquatic, Education and Health Centre of Excellence, and $1.6 million for the Grafton Regional Aquatic Centre.
We are investing $14.6 million for upgrades to the runway at Dubbo Regional Airport to help handle large aircraft and facilitate emergency operations, $4.2 million to Bathurst's Ngurang ("noo-rung") Arts Residency for a major performing arts residency at Ben Chifley Dam, and $5.2 million to revitalise the Urunga CBD for locals and visitors alike.
Other successful projects, which went through a competitive, merits-based assessment process, include:
- $3 million for the Lithgow Mountain Bike Transformation Project
- $15 million for the Orange Regional Sports Hub
- $800,000 for stage 2 of the Leeton Roxy Theatre project
- $1.6 million for the Murray Regional Art Gallery in Moama
- $3 million to upgrade the Weston Bears Park
- $8.2 million for the Angry Bull Trails Adventure Tourism Destination in Tenterfield
- $600,000 for the ANZAC Park Playground Upgrade in Glen Innes
- $550,226 for the Lake Inverell Enhancement
- $2.9 million for the Tomaree Regional Community Hub
These projects demonstrate the Government's commitment to listening to local voices and funding priorities that benefit New South Wales' regions.
Today's funding is on top of more than $43 million already allocated to 10 New South Wales community infrastructure projects in the past year.
This is part of the Government's Growing Regions Program, which provides funding of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations for community infrastructure projects.
