Drought Projects Update - February 2020

Published on 03 February 2020

Communities throughout the Gannawarra are starting to benefit from funding provided by the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension.

Council is eligible to apply for $2 million in funding after the Federal Government determined in September 2019 that Gannawarra Shire Council is a drought-declared municipality.

Council announced in December 2019 that 37 initiatives, activities, events and infrastructure projects would benefit from the first $1 million, known as Stage 1 of this funding, with these works required to be completed by 30 June 2020.

“Council liaised with community groups and organisations throughout the Gannawarra to determine the list of projects, events and initiatives that would benefit from this funding,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“The Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants Program is also a beneficiary of this Federal Government funding, with 17 groups and organisations sharing in $38,000 of support.”

Three initiatives that have benefited from funding provided by the Drought Communities Programme – Extension have already been held – the Cohuna New Year’s Eve Street Party, Kerang’s New Year’s Eve Party in the Park, and the New Year’s Eve Party in Apex Park, Koondrook.

“Planning is underway for a number of other community events and initiatives that have received support from the Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants Program, including the 2020 Cohuna Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society Show, Getting Quamby Moving – 10 week exercise program and the Wild Ibis Club Bush Dance,” Mayor Learmonth said.

Meanwhile, planning for the 37 initiatives, activities, events and infrastructure projects that will benefit from the first $1 million of the programme’s funding is underway.

“The first of these projects will be completed in early February, with gravel access to the Macorna Recreation Reserve to be improved,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“These works will benefit Macorna residents who use the reserve’s clubrooms as a community facility, as well as Golden Rivers Football Netball League players and spectators.”

Final discussions are occurring with regards to determining which initiatives, activities, events and infrastructure projects will benefit from the $1 million of Stage 2 funding from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension, with these works required to be completed by 31 December 2020.

“Like the first round of funding, the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2017-2021, the 2019 round of Council’s Community Grants program and community group feedback from recent engagement on the first round of drought funding were used as a guide to determine what this second round of funding will be used for,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Council looks forward to sharing these details with the community in the coming weeks.”

Details and updates on all projects supported by funding from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension is available online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/droughtfunding

CAPTION: Kerang's New Year’s Eve Party in the Park, as well as similar celebrations at Cohuna and Koondrook, benefited from funding provided by the Federal Government's Drought Communities Programme – Extension.