Drought Projects Update - March 2020
Published on 02 March 2020
Support received from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension is starting to flow through the Gannawarra.
Community groups and organisations located throughout the municipality are already implementing projects supported from $1 million of Federal Government funding.
Council announced in December 2019 that 37 initiatives, activities and infrastructure projects would benefit from Stage 1 of the funding, with these works required to be completed by 30 June 2020.
“A number of community resilience support initiatives will benefit from Stage 1, including Northern District Community Health’s AgriSafe clinic program,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.
“Run in partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health, the program provides farmers with a free health assessment, undertaken during a 90-minute consultation.
“A comprehensive health referral is also sent to the participant’s GP, which can, if needed, involve referral to other relevant services and programs.”
Visitors to the Kerang Exercise Pool, located at Patchell Plaza, are also benefiting from Stage 1 of funding from the Drought Communities Programme – Extension, with a defibrillator recently installed.
“Council is also working with the numerous community groups and organisations that will benefit from infrastructure works to ensure these projects are completed on time,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.
“These works will have a flow-on effect across the Gannawarra, as these projects will provide economic stimulus through the use of local tradespeople and materials where physically possible, as well as provide a long-lasting benefit to the communities where these projects are occurring.”
Seventeen community groups and organisations that shared in $38,000 of support from Round 2 of the Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants program, also supported by Stage 1 of funding from the Drought Communities Programme – Extension, are continuing to roll out their events and initiatives.
“Quambatook residents are benefiting from the Getting Quamby Moving 10-week exercise program, developed by the Quambatook Community Resource Centre, whilst the Cohuna Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Society is looking forward to hosting the 2020 Cohuna Show later this month,” Mayor Learmonth said.
Meanwhile, Council will announce the initiatives, activities, events and infrastructure projects that will benefit from the $1 million of Stage 2 funding from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension this month, with these works required to be completed by 31 December 2020.
“Like the first round of funding, the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2017-2021, the 2019 round of Council’s Community Grants program and community group feedback from recent engagement on the first round of drought funding were used as a guide to determine what this second round of funding will be used for,” Mayor Learmonth said.
Details and updates on all projects supported by funding from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension is available online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/droughtfunding
ABOVE: Mayor Lorraine Learmonth stands next to the Kerang Exercise Pool defibrillator. The installation of this life-saving apparatus is supported by the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension.