Thirty major community infrastructure projects will be constructed in Cowper through the Federal Government’s $1.5 billion Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program designed to support local jobs and businesses as the region recovers from COVID-19, the Member for Cowper announced today.
MP Pat Conaghan said the projects included 12 public space or town centre upgrades, two carpark overhauls, eight new
cycleways or footpaths and a new glasshouse at the North Coast Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour.
He said the projects were expected to support 161 local jobs over the coming year.
“Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our local community, which is why our 2020-21 Federal Budget included programs like the JobMaker Hiring Credit to encourage businesses to employ young jobseekers,” Mr Conaghan said.
“The Deputy Prime Minister also moved swiftly to allocate $1.5 billion funding for the construction of community infrastructure and road upgrades back in June and today I am announcing the 30 projects the five Councils across Cowper will be delivering.”
A snap-shot of key Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program projects include:
• Bellingen Shire Council: $275,000 to rehabilitate and replace sections of Crown Street in Bellingen and $250,000 to replace the failing timber crib walls along River Street at the Mylestom Reserve. Grants total: $525,000
• Coffs Harbour City Council: $782,096 to build a new glasshouse building at the North Coast Botanic Garden and $600,000 towards the North Wall public car park relocation and reconfiguration to provide greater recreation space for the community. Grants total: $1,382,096
• Kempsey Shire Council: $400,000 to implement Council’s Rankine Street Public Realm Activation plan for Crescent Head and $350,000 to refurbish the Clyde Street carpark, Kempsey. Grants total: $1,160,188
• Nambucca Valley Council: $310,000 to improve bicycle and walking paths, public facilities and carparking at the Nambucca V-Wall and $100,000 to implement some improvement actions contained in the Macksville CBD Revitalisation Plan. Grants total: $768,865
• Port Macquarie-Hastings Council: $140,000 to install a rooftop solar system on the Port Macquarie Airport terminal and $280,000 to rehabilitate and resurface a key Port Macquarie CBD street, Hay Street. Grants total: $1,826,618
Coffs Harbour City Council Mayor, Denise Knight welcomed the funding for her area for these important community and Council-nominated projects.
“We’ve got some key large projects happening in Coffs Harbour to upgrade and reclaim recreation space and create vibrant spaces for our residents and visitors to enjoy,” she said.
“Our reputation as a tourist destination will be further enhanced by the construction of a striking new glasshouse at the North Coast Botanic Garden, which I hope will start to be constructed from early next year.
“I thank the Australian Government for this further investment in our region.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the projects funded under the the Local Road and Community Infrastructure Program would improve the quality of life of Australians and have lasting economic and social benefits for local communities.
