Money for a swimming pool upgrade, student accommodation at the Wellington Caves and the redevelopment of a sporting ground were among the projects announced by Dubbo MP Troy Grant to benefit from the NSW government funding. Mr Grant was joined by administrator Michael Kneipp as he announced the projects that have received funding on Monday afternoon.

One of the biggest announcements to benefit Wellington was $4.5 million for the Wellington Swimming Pool which Mr Grant said was in an “unacceptable” state. The funding will be added to the existing $3.5 million allocated to the project through DRC’s Stronger Communities Fund.

“Wellington will have a brand new $8 million pool facility down there,” he said.

“The pool there at the moment is nearly bordering on negligence, the level that pool was allowed to decay and degrade, no checking of it – a wall potentially about to collapse and for powder chlorine to potentially lead into the pool is unacceptable.”

Another $1.3 million was announced for the Wellington Caves redevelopment, $565,000 for Rygate Park stage two redevelopment, and $250,000 toward Wellington Justice Museum development.

Wellington and Dubbo will share in $1.5 million for Wiradjuri Tourism Experience, and Geurie has received $245,000 toward a Multi-Court and Recreation Complex upgrade.

Mr Kneipp said the funding will bring forward the projects significantly in what highlights DRC as being one of the most robust regional capitals in Australia.

“Troy has worked tirelessly and strategically to make sure our communities have the strongest future and this is simply an historic investment into our area and will give the newly elected councillors the very best foundation to help our area flourish,” he said.

“It’s massive, there’s no other way to describe it and I’m sure we will be the envy of many. That $28 million is on top of the original $10 million in the community fund, it’s not as if we’re coming off a low base, we had $10 million for that. 

“We always have a wish list, you’ve got to think big, it was just brilliant.” 

Mr Grant said the announcement doubled as an important move to ensure villages know they don’t miss out in the amalgamated council.