Stronger Country Communities Round 3 - Have Your Say

Published on 22 July 2019

Gilgandra Shire Council is seeking feedback regarding identified community infrastructure and youth initiative projects to be submitted under Round 3 of the NSW Government’s the Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF).

The SCCF has been established to target infrastructure projects in regional NSW to improve the lives and wellbeing of local residents, to ensure that regional communities across NSW remain attractive and vibrant places to live and work and enhance opportunities for youth to work and thrive within our community.

Under this funding, there is $769,032 available to the Gilgandra Shire, half of which must be spent on youth related projects.

Gilgandra Shire Council is inviting residents to offer feedback on the compiled list of projects that have been identified from the Community Strategic and Long Term Financial Plans.

Mayor, Doug Batten says Council is keen to hear from the community with support and feedback.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Gilgandra Shire to create infrastructure to be enjoyed by our families and our future generations. We are being offered possibilities to create spaces and programs that will instil a vibrancy in our community and create opportunities for our youth.”

Cr Batten adds,

“The youth of our community are vital to our community as they shape the way for the future of Gilgandra, it is important that we have programs and facilities available to help support these young people as they grow into the leaders of our future.”

Projects that have been identified by Council include:

 

Youth Related

McGrane Oval

Including Junior League amenities upgrade – bubblers, sanitary device, power installation ear cricket nets, accessible toilet, baby change room, seating.

$150,000

Skate Park Upgrade

Complete concrete cast-in-situ skate park to complement existing equipment. Two options have been provided for comment.

$100,000

Library Interaction

Ideas include Makerspace or technology hub – an interactive technology space with wifi, chill out, device use, computer coding, robotics, film, virtual reality, animation, art, science,

$100,000

Employment Readiness

Ideas such as a small business start-up program; work readiness skills & training

$30,000

 

General Community

McGrane Oval

Upgrades including grandstand amenities upgrades, grandstand accessibility, repainting.

$150,000

Rising Sun Installation

Including structural engineering, design, lighting and signage

$30,000

Electronic Signage

2 x Newell Highway LED screens – changing content

$75,000

Library & CBD activation

Ideas include public meeting rooms, private office space for public use, consultation rooms, new business incubation spaces, pop up shops etc.

$130,000

 

Should this funding be successful, the McGrane Oval Masterplan will be fully realised, with these elements the final stages to complete the ‘wish list’ of the plan.

General Manager David Neeves says,

“McGrane Oval is one that is used widely by our community and it will be a huge achievement to complete the Masterplan in its entirety, allowing Council to continue to focus on other projects, seeing them through to completion.

“When a project is as large as this, with as much community impact and benefit, it is so important to ensure that the elements are finished in a timely manner and to a standard that meets the needs of our community. We believe that utilising this funding will allow that to happen.

“We have also been extremely focussed on sourcing local businesses to deliver the works where possible, and the flow on effect of this work is only an added positive to our community at this time.”

Council is also seeking expressions of interest for those youth who may be interested in a Small Business Start-up Program for their own businesses (aged 18-24) or businesses and entrepreneurs who would be interested in providing mentoring in this program.

Council must work within strict deadlines set by the NSW Government for the application process, so it is important that feedback is received by close of business Friday, 9 August 2019.

Feedback can be given via a short online survey, including images, on Council’s website www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au or Council’s Facebook page. Residents may also contact Council directly on 6817 8800, email council@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au or visit us at Warren Road.

Please note that Council is currently in the planning stages of a combined Indoor sports and Youth Centre envisaged for the Hunter Park precinct. A working party has been convened consisting of representatives of the community.

In addition to the online consultation, targeted consultation and feedback is being coordinated with specific groups where relevant projects have been identified.

Projects require a minimum funding allocation of $50,000 and align with Council’s Community Strategic Plan. Projects must commence within 12 months and be completed and funds acquitted within 2 years of the funding approval. Under the terms of the funding, 50% of the allocation must be spent on youth related activities, where youth is defined as 12-24 years of age. Works on roads is not eligible under this funding.

Community groups and not-for-profit organisations are also able to apply in this round, and Council would encourage community groups with ideas to approach Council for assistance and support for grant opportunities.

If you have any questions regarding this funding or process, please do not hesitate to contact Council.