Funding for three community projects worth just over $1.4m in total is to be applied for by Council from the NSW Government's $100m Stronger Country Communities Fund.
The projects are:
- Ayrshire Park, Boambee Sports Lighting – grant funding of $165,500. To supply, install and commission a new LED lighting system on the main sports field enabling the park to host night-time football games. Increased flood lighting strength would extend the availability of the ground for competition use and provide an additional alternative wet weather venue for the competition, thereby reducing the risk of disruption to the limited competition season. Competition lighting would also increase the availability and attraction of the venue for summer sport such as six-a side soccer or touch football.
- Hockey Female Change Rooms – grant funding of $495,500. Construction of an accessible toilet and shower block at the Hockey Centre, Stadium Drive that features female-friendly change rooms to provide for player, officials and spectator comfort. Such a facility would encourage participation, reduce any risks associated with the use of existing isolated facilities and provide facilities that could cater for regional and major events. The project would also complement the recently-constructed clubroom and canteen.
- West Coffs Shared Path – grant funding of $543,500. This project would see sections of the planned shared pedestrian and cycleway completed. Once fully finished, the Path is intended to link the growing West Coffs Harbour residential area to the outskirts of the City Centre. Importantly, it will also improve pedestrian and cycle access to the Vost Park Netball Courts and provide a safe, alternative means of travel to Narranga Public School.
The announcement of successful projects is due to be made in September 2021. All projects must then begin within six months of the funding agreement being signed and be completed within two years of the project announcement.
In previous rounds of the SCCF, Council has received funding for a wide range of new or upgraded community projects such as the Refurbishment of the Rugby Park Clubhouse, the Missing Links 5 Footpath Project, Woolgoolga Beach Reserve Community Hub, Sawtell and Surrounding Districts BMX Club Track and Facilities Upgrade and the Sandy Beach Reserve Active Youth Space.
The Stronger Country Communities Fund supports projects that deliver local community infrastructure or sporting facilities. General community amenity projects must be for either new, or upgrades to existing, local community infrastructure, capital works related to street beautification and other public places that promote the health, happiness and wellbeing of the community, programs that benefit the local community and provide public benefit, infrastructure to assist the delivery of general community programs, infrastructure or community projects or programs which improve and promote accessibility and inclusion.
