$1.1 million infrastructure project list finalised
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Outdoor recreation facilities such as walkways, cycleways, playgrounds and tennis courts are the big winners in the list of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council projects that will be funded from the Federal Government's $1.162 million in infrastructure funding.
Currently 12 projects, ranging in size from $200,000 for urgently required works at Timbertown to $25,000 for upgrading tennis courts at Long Flat, are slated to benefit from the funding boost. While the newest section of the Coastal Walkway was officially opened this week, the completion of the missing link at Lighthouse Beach is now a reality having allocated $100,000 to the project.
According to Council Administrator Dick Person only a small number of the projects receiving a share of the funding are in Port Macquarie.
"Many of the 12 projects chosen for this funding are in direct response to matters raised during this years Council meetings in Wauchope and Laurieton as well as the rural consultation meetings in Kendall, Comboyne, Telegraph Pt and Rollands Plains.
"Obviously Council's current financial position means that these new projects had little chance of being funded by Council, so this Federal Government program aiming at limiting the local impacts of the world economic crisis, is particularly welcome in our community," said Mr Persson.
The Federal funding, announced earlier this month, is reliant on some specific guidelines including that the projects needed to be new projects and that the funds would be spent by September 2009. The final list of projects is being compiled but those confirmed projects to receive a share of the Federal Government Infrastructure Program include;
North Haven Walkway Cycleway: $200,000
Timbertown refurbishment: $200,000
Disability Discrimination Action Plan Implementation: $110,000
Tacking Pt Lighthouse Coastal Walkway: $100,000
Wauchope Rocks Ferry Reserve upgrade: $100,000
Port Macquarie Town Green Playground: $95,000
Kendall Jeff Norrie Reserve new toilets: $60,000
Lake Cathie access path: $60,000
Comboyne Tennis Court: $50,000
Kendall Henry Kendall statue and street beautification: $30,000
Long Flat Tennis Courts: $25,000
North Haven Beach access ramp: $15,000
Council's were also invited to apply for a second round of $2 million grants for larger projects.
The Administrator has advised that the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council application will seek funding for the replacement of the Wauchope / Bonny Hills Surf Club.
"While many projects in our area would be worthy there is no denying that the Wauchope / Bonny Hills surf club needs urgent replacement. It not only delivers community benefits but also construction employment opportunities.
"Cost estimates of $2.88 million put the project beyond Council's reach at the current time. I have briefed our Federal Member, Rob Oakeshott who strongly supports our funding application for this project," said Mr Persson.
