Communities reap benefits of drought program

Published on 28 September 2021

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Communities across the Gannawarra are benefiting from activities and renewal projects supported by the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension.

During the last 18 months, Gannawarra Shire Council has helped community groups deliver $2 million of community infrastructure and resilience projects for townships across the municipality, as part of support received from the Federal Government programme, which aimed to support drought relief projects and infrastructure for communities impacted by drought.

"Since the programs release, Council has committed the funds to be spread as widely as possible across the Shire, to provide benefit and support to the region’s smallest communities as well as its larger ones,” Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly said.

“In total, through the Drought Communities Extension Programme, Council was able to deliver 119 activities in partnership with the community; 69 infrastructure-based projects and 50 community resilience projects and events.”

Some of the projects and activities that received support include the installation of a shower block at Lalbert public amenities, restoration works at the Tragowel Hall, the painting of community buildings in Quambatook, enhancement efforts for the Kerang parkrun course and improvements to the entrance of the Cohuna Recreation Reserve.

“The outcomes of the projects, events and initiatives developed as part of the Drought Communities Extension Programme have helped many communities continue to grow,” Mr. O’Reilly said.

“The projects also aiding to both uplift key community assets and allow communities to further connect across the Shire, providing a stronger sense of community, during a time when it has never been more important to connect.

“Council thanks the communities involved as their volunteering, cooperation and support throughout the program’s  delivery, has helped in providing projects and events across the Gannawarra that will continue to benefit locals from now and into the future.”

The initiatives were identified using a number of resources when planned, including the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2017-2021 and projects that were not successful in obtaining funding from the State Government’s Pick My Project program in 2018 and the 2019 round of Council’s Community Grants program as a guide.

Details 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.

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