$1.58-MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING ANNOUNCED TODAY FOR TAREE, HARRINGTON, OLD BAR PROJECTS

The Liberal and Nationals Coalition Government has announced a further $1.588-million funding injection for Taree, Harrington and Old Bar to help rebuild the region’s economy after the Black Summer bushfires.

The funding is in addition to $7.189-million in projects across the Manning Great Lakes region, which includes $5.5-million for Taree Universities Campus, supported by the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie joined Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie on a tour of the projects on Thursday.

·         Taree Universities Campus - new premises, $5.5-million (previously announced)

·         Taree Resource Recovery Centre – operated by Aus Blue Bins $987,544

·         Harrington Public School - new school community hall $435,988

·         Old Bar Beach Bowling Club – new generator $165,000

Minister McKenzie said she was pleased to see first-hand the critical projects that were supporting local businesses and communities to rebuild.

“As part of the $2.1-billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund, the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program is backing projects like these here in Taree, Harrington and Old Bar to best support the ongoing recovery of these communities, in the wake of the 2019-20 bushfires,” Minister McKenzie said.

“It’s great to be here to see the new premises and permanent home for the Taree Universities Campus. This project will see MidCoast Council and Taree Universities Campus develop a partnership to ensure TUC’s long-term viability for the many benefits it will deliver to the region.

“It is important that we fund projects like these that offer a lasting and tangible impact for the community,” she said.

Dr Gillespie said the Aus Blue Bins initiative would deliver efficiencies for the local construction sector, as well as supporting jobs.

“Aus Blue Bins will be employing five new staff at a local depot, as well as setting up skip bins and equipment to support more efficient recycling of local construction and demolition waste,” Dr Gillespie said.

“Here on the Mid North Coast, many thousands of tonnes of construction and demolition waste go into landfill every year, with estimates that up 75% of this can be recycled.”

Dr Gillespie said he was also pleased to support a much-needed school community hall at Harrington, which would also be utilised as a community facility and emergency evacuation centre.

“This multi-purpose hall provides the school and community with an all-important evacuation assembly area, as well as a space for out-of-school care and community events.

“I’m also pleased our community has been able to secure funds for the Old Bar Bowling Club’s new generator, which will support this major community evacuation centre into the future,” Dr Gillespie said.

In addition, the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program is supporting the upgrade of Chapmans Road at Tuncurry for better access for emergency vehicles and $1.063-million in MidCoast Council initiatives to build community bushfire resilience, including the upgrade of Wallaby Joe RFS Shed at Wingham into a regional training centre.