Macleay Valley receives boost to services from NSW budget

Stuarts Point received an injection of funds with $6.6 million towards the sewerage scheme and $1.7 to redevelop the foreshore. South West Rocks Police Station will be transformed into a modern facility to better serve local residents, and over $6 million will be spent revamping tourism and recreational facilities around Trial Bay and the Arakoon National Park. A major upgrade to the Kempsey PCYC will give our young people thechance to socialise and participate in sports and recreational activities in a multi-functional centre.

I was especially pleased that council received $1 million to start the planning and design process for the long-awaited second bridge across the Macleay River. This has been a key project in council’s delivery program, which would connect South Kempsey to West Kempsey. The bridge would be a vital link for the community in accessing business, residential and recreational areas, along with health and emergency services located in central and west Kempsey.

The support we receive from government funding means we can make community improvements that we couldn’t otherwise deliver, or the community would have to shoulder more of the financial burden. council’s four-year Delivery Program has identified improvement projects in locations across our Shire, and we will continue to work with other levels of government to achieve further gains in our community services and facilities.

It’s worthwhile for local sporting and community organisations to keep an eye out for grant funding opportunities that can be applied for directly by community groups and sports clubs. Grants are provided across a broad range of areas, with additional money made available in last week’s state budget for community projects which locals will be able to vote on.

With support from all levels of government, our community can achieve lasting and substantial improvements within our valley.