Drought grants to assist communities in tough times

26 Feb 2019

Member for New England and Special Envoy for Drought Assistance and Recovery, Barnaby Joyce, has announced five projects in communities across the electorate that will share in $1.2 million provided under the latest round of the Tackling Tough Times Together grants program.

 

These organisations include two from Tamworth and Barraba which received grants with the help of the $15 million provided by the Liberal and Nationals Government to not-for-profit group, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).

 

Funding includes $22,088 for the Barraba Public Art - Silo Project which will deliver a large scale mural on 40-metre high silos on the southern edge of town. The art will be designed by Fintan Magee, a renowned Australian artist who specialises in large scale installations and has produced murals on multi story building and silos worldwide.

 

“This is a substantial grant for the people of Barraba to help get some money spinning around town and to deliver a substantial piece of art for the local community,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“It will help lift the spirits by providing the financial means to undertake works and activities that support the short and longer term economic viability of these communities.

 

“Barraba is just as important as any other town in the electorate, and we must do our very best to make sure we not only look after the big towns but the smaller ones too.”

 

A further $20,000 will be invested in the 2019 North West Rural Leadership Program. Hosted by the Tamworth Regional Landcare Association, up to 20 applicants from across the Tamworth region will workshop real-life projects in a personal, hands-on learning experience to encourage productive change in rural communities.

 

“It is important we invest in not only the material capital in Tamworth but the human capital as well,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“This grant allows us to train our leaders of tomorrow in understanding the complexities of drought and tough times to deliver better outcomes to their families, better resilience to our cash flow and a better future for our people.”

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the program has been designed to provide support for projects identified as important to the survival and future prosperity of small, drought-affected communities throughout Australia.

 

“Nationally, these grants are going to a range of local organisations, including community associations, show societies, progress committees and environmental groups, to support projects that reduce social isolation, enhance community health and wellbeing and build volunteer and organisational capacity,” Mr McCormack said.

 

Other projects across the New England funded under this program include $4,930 for the ‘Working in Groups’ drought resilience workshop at Cassilis; $19,980 for the Drought Recovery GLENRAC Style workshops at Glen Innes and $3,255 for a drought relief benefit night at Ben Lomond Hall.

 

Further information on the program and grant opportunities may be found on the FRRR website.

 

(ENDS)

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