News

| July 06, 2018

Kealy - Rupanyup Community Retail Hub funding long overdue

The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy MP has congratulated the Rupanyup community on its successful campaign to attract funding for a new Rupanyup Community Retail Hub.

Ms Kealy has been a strong supporter of the project since it was first proposed by the local community after devastating fires destroyed the town’s chemist and gift shop in early 2017.

The local community had previously been told they would receive the requested funding, only to be told later that the project did not fit the funding criteria.

“This announcement is long overdue and locals have been rightly frustrated by the Labor Government’s continual failure to provide the much needed funding to see this vital local project come to fruition,” Ms Kealy said.

“I often visit Rupanyup and meet with locals and business owners and I am always impressed with their strong sense of community and enthusiasm to see their beautiful town survive population decline and grow into the future.

“Despite the ongoing lack of support from Labor this tenacious local community wouldn’t give up and have raised more than $700,000 towards the project in partnership with the Bendigo Bank, Yarriambiack Shire and Enterprise Rupanyup.

“Funding for these kinds of projects is vital to support local investment, population growth, increase tourism, create local jobs and ensure an economic revival to build a stronger regional community.

“I look forward to seeing the Rupanyup community enjoying the benefits that this important local project will deliver for many years to come,” she said.