Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton pictured in Wilcannia, where exclusion fencing will be constructed thanks to a $266,938 grant for Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Two organisations in the Parkes electorate will share in more than $565,000 to undertake much-needed infrastructure projects in Bourke and Wilcannia.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the funding has been provided through the first round of the $4.89 million Indigenous Land Enterprise Infrastructure Fund for projects in remote Australia.

“Congratulations to Full Diesel Pty Ltd and Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council on successfully receiving grants to further develop and take their operations to a new level,” Mr Coulton said.

“Full Diesel has been awarded $298,551.94 to replace boundary fences and improve water holding capacity by desilting dams in the Bourke area.

“A $266,938 grant will allow Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council to construct 28 kilometres of exclusion fencing in an effort to stop feral pests and enhance stock management.

“These projects will create local jobs and deliver lasting improvements to the Bourke and Wilcannia communities.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said 19 Indigenous entities were successful in the highly competitive round.

“The Indigenous Land Enterprise Infrastructure Fund is one of the ways we’re helping remote communities recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting economic growth and providing jobs on country,” Minister Wyatt said.

“It focuses on projects in primary industries and land management sectors that expand or improve the viability of their activities and that create more employment.

“Across the country, we’re delivering a range of infrastructure including off-grid solar power systems, water infrastructure (bores, tanks and troughs), fences, stockyards, sheds and irrigation systems.”

A second ILEIF grant round will be run in the 2022–23 financial year.