Parkes a winner in federal community infrastructure program, says Senator

Councils and organisations in the electorate of Parkes will share in almost $32 million from the federal government’s Growing Regions Program.

As reported by The Courier last week, Narrabri Shire Council is one of the beneficiaries of round one of the program and will receive $1.4 million towards stages two and three of the Narrabri tourism and cultural precinct.

NSW Senator and Duty Senator for Parkes Deborah O’Neill visited Narrabri last week following the announcement, to hear about the precinct’s plans.

Senator O’Neill, who was visiting communities throughout western NSW, said people were delighted to see local projects gain funding.

In addition to Narrabri Shire’s success in the program, $10 million was allocated for a Brewarinna PCYC youth hub and indoor sports centre, $9.6 million for the redevelopment of the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre, $2.1 million for a Gunnedah community cultural hub, $1.5 million for the Walhallow community infrastructure project at Caroona and $7.1 million for Dubbo’s Wiradjuri Cultural Tourism Centre and Keeping Place.

“Each project had to prove how they would grow the economy,” she said.

“Each one of these will do that.”

Senator O’Neill, who was unaware of the NSW applicants as a result of probity measures in place, declared that Parkes was a big winner thanks to the program.

“A Labor government is investing in growing our regions,” she said.

“Growth is essential for these communities.

“This dispels any idea that Labor doesn’t invest in the regions.”

Senator O’Neill also praised people for having the vision to develop what is needed in their local communities.

Speaking of the Narrabri tourism and cultural precinct, Senator O’Neill described the concept as significant.

NSW Upper House member and Duty MLC for Barwon Stephen Lawrence also praised the benefits of the Narrabri precinct.

“We want people to visit our towns. We want people who are travelling through to have a reason to stop,” Mr Lawrence said.

“This is a really good project.”

While in Narrabri, Senator O’Neill also discussed the recent federal budget and said it delivered cost of living relief in the form of assistance towards electricity bills as well as freezing the price of PBS medicines for concession card holders.

Senator O’Neill also said more than 11,000 people in Parkes would benefit as a result of the restructure of higher education debts. She also praised the benefits of funding 20,000 places for fee-free education in construction during a national housing crisis.