THIRTY-THREE projects have made the shortlist for Dubbo Regional Council’s Stronger Communities Fund.
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Council has $9 million courtesy of the NSW government to spend on community projects, after Dubbo and Wellington councils were amalgamated.
The proposed projects will go before Dubbo Regional Council on Thursday. From there, the proposal will go on exhibition for the public to comment, before the results will be considered by the Stronger Communities Fund Assessment panel.
The 33 projects currently on the list have a total value of more than $44 million.
Major proposed works include $8.5 million for a 25-metre indoor pool at the Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre, $4.5 million for the Wellington Caves Visitor Experience Centre, $3.9 for the main hall upgrade of Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, $3.5 million for the Boundary Road Infrastructure Project Stage Two, and $1.3 million for Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden Adventure Playground.
Projects in the villages have also been included.
Euchareena local projects could receive $84,700, while $245,000 has been proposed for a multi-court facility and playground equipment at Geurie.
When he announced the funding Local Government Minister Paul Toole said the projects must have both social and economic benefits to the community.
"When I talk to mums and dads across this state they tell me that they've got playgrounds that haven't been repaired for years; They tell me they've got footpaths that are falling apart; They tell me that they've got roads with holes in them that haven't been touched for years. This money can go into those projects and address those needs for each of these communities," he said.
The funding has to be allocated and spent by December 31, 2019.
Council administrator Michael Kneipp said the fund would go towards social projects as well as infrastructure.
“It can’t be all plunked in Dubbo and Wellington. I want it to be spread out throughout the region,” Mr Kneipp said.
Where the funding will go will be decided by a panel, comprised of Mr Kneipp, state MP for Dubbo Troy Grant, the Department of Premier and Cabinet regional coordinator and council’s auditor.
To be eligible for the funding, the projects have to demonstrate social or economic benefits to the community, be good value for money and could not have been allocated funds by the former councils.