The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, has worked alongside local committees and volunteers to secure more than $720,000 in state government funding for 21 projects across the Lowan electorate in western Victoria.
Communities including Apsley, Mortlake, Pimpinio, Quantong, Edenhope, Casterton, Minyip, Dergholm, Penshurst and Warracknabeal were successful in the third round of Tiny Towns funding, for projects to enhance community connections, support economic development and encourage more visitors to our smaller yet strongest country towns.
Ms Kealy said the outcome was testament to hours of work from volunteers and committees to submit applications and advocate to the state government for their communities.
“I’m so proud to have worked with our communities to help fight for and deliver our fair share of funding,” she said.
“These projects show what can be achieved when local communities are given the opportunity to lead. The ideas come from local volunteers who know exactly what their town needs, and it’s great to be able to support these communities to make their ideas become a reality.
“Every upgraded hall, community space, sporting facility or tourism asset helps strengthen the social fabric of our small towns and keeps our communities vibrant.”
Ms Kealy said small investments made a huge difference in country towns, and it was vital that funding continued to flow into the future.
“The Nationals understand that rural and regional communities deserve their fair share of government funding, which is why we’ve announced a Fair Share Guarantee,” she said.
“Rural and regional Victoria has 25 per cent of the state’s population, so it’s only right and fair that we get 25 per cent of Victoria’s infrastructure funding.
“The Nationals fight tooth and nail to deliver for our rural and regional communities, and it’s exciting to think we’ll be able to deliver even more for country people by forming government in November.
“I congratulate everyone who played a role in advocating for these important local projects, and look forward to seeing these exciting developments completed.”
Successful projects in Lowan:
- Apsley Hall upgrade: $46,411
- Pimpinio Recreation Reserve community play space: $50,000
- Johnny Mullagh park accessible footpath: $50,000
- Edenhope Football Netball Club playground: $35,608
- Lake Wallace shelter project, Edenhope: $9959
- Casterton Bowling Club air-conditioning upgrade: $5967
- Casterton Island Park access road and carpark upgrade: $39,634
- Wallacedale hall refurbishment: $32,028
- Mortlake Market Square safety upgrade: $20,700
- Mirranatwa Hall upgrade: $24,000
- Lake Bolac Information and Business Centre public art project: $9500
- Penshurst Memorial Hall refurbishment: $41,568
- Halls Gap Neighbourhood House feasibility study: $24,600
- Jung Hall upgrade: $22,551
- Minyip Recreation Reserve new playground: $50,000
- Dock Lake Recreation Reserve upgrade plans: $50,000
- Dergholm Soldiers Memorial Hall kitchen upgrade: $48,530
- Quantong Community Centre emergency power and playground upgrade: $48,700
- Kalkee Recreation Reserve clubrooms flooring upgrade: $40,818
- Taylors Lake Hall upgrade: $22,472
- Warracknabeal Courthouse accommodation project: $50,000