Local junior sporting teams, neighbourhood centres and other community groups in the new Hilltops Council will be able to apply for a grant of up to $50,000 through the NSW Government’s Stronger Communities Fund (SCF), Member for Cootamundra, Katrina Hodgkinson said on Tuesday.
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The Hilltops Council will get $15 million to kick-start the delivery of priority infrastructure and services projects for the local community and on Tuesday new councils were issued with guidelines on how to allocate their share of the SCF.
“The new Hilltops Council will deliver the better services and infrastructure that the local community needs and wants now and in the future”.
“Community groups are the heart and soul of our regional communities and the services they provide make a real and lasting difference to the lives of residents”, Katrina said.
“Under the guidelines community groups can apply for community grants of up to $50,000 for local projects, such as the upgrade of club facilities or new sporting equipment.”
Katrina said the new council will also invest in larger scale projects to deliver long-term economic and social benefits.
“These projects may include swimming pool upgrades, local road improvements or new sporting field amenities,” Katrina said.
“Importantly, the local community will have the opportunity to have their say on how these funds are spent and I would encourage residents with ideas on what projects they would like to see funded to get in touch with the new council.”
“To ensure the Stronger Communities Fund is allocated to projects in an open and transparent way, the NSW Government will require the council to apply high standards to the decision making process”, Ms Hodgkinson said.
The announcement of the SCF grant came on the same day that a new tourism trail was launched in the newly formed Hilltops Council. The Antique and Hand-crafted Trail is a joint tourism initiative which covers the former Boorowa, Harden and Young shires areas and links antiques, collectables and second hand retailers in the towns and villages of the region.
In other news, there will be a Hilltops transport operators forum which will be held from 2pm at the Harden Country Club on Friday, June 3. Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack will be in attendance.
For full report go to www.hardenexpress.com.au
