Photo Caption (L-R): Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt, Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor Katrina Humphries and Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton at this morning’s announcement in Moree – local councils and community organisations in Moree, Wee Waa, Narrabri and Walgett are set to benefit from $1.7 million in grants from the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program.

Local councils and community organisations in Moree, Wee Waa, Narrabri and Walgett are set to benefit from $1.7 million in grants from the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program.

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said the Moree Plains Shire Council will receive a grant of $515,468 to develop the Smart Region Business Incubator and Co-working Space project.

“These Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program grants are about helping rural and regional communities,” Minister Pitt said.

“This second round of grants, valued at $15 million, is even more important given the effects drought, bushfires, and now COVID-19 are having on our communities.

“This funding will benefit new businesses, allow for the scaling-up of existing business, improve local capabilities and entice investment in the Moree Plains Shire and North West New South Wales.”

Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton said he was thrilled a significant cash injection would fund exciting projects in his electorate, including Moree’s co-working incubator known as ‘The Greenhouse’.

“This co-working space will not only be available to local and visiting workers; it will also include the delivery of the well-established business incubator program from University of New England,” Mr Coulton said.

“The incubator will be based in the main street to encourage local spending in cafes and retail stores to also contribute to the local economy.

“It’s no secret that communities in the Parkes electorate have great ideas to secure prosperous futures for themselves – this cash represents an important helping hand to get those plans off the ground and deliver exciting benefits for the entire community.

“Congratulations to all the successful applicants for generating these innovative and practical projects that will have an enduring positive impact.”

Minister Pitt added that Wee Waa will also benefit from the MDBA Economic Development Program with Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre to receive $382,197 and Wee Waa Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce to receive $450,000 for the Yarrie Lake Water Security project to access groundwater to ensure safe and usable water levels at Yarrie Lake.

Walgett Shire Council will also receive $450,000 for the PCYC Youth Centre to construct a youth centre inside the PCYC to provide programs and amenities for young people.

More than $3.4 million in grants has been committed to the Parkes electorate under round 2 of the Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Program. To find out more and for a full list of projects funded in round 2 visit the website.

 

Town/Recipient	Grant amount	Project details
Moree Moree Plains Shire Council	$515,468	Smart Region Business Incubator and Co-working space: To fund a business incubator to help new businesses and to upscale existing businesses to entice investment.
Wee Waa Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre Inc	$382,197	Community Arts and Cultural Centre: To convert an existing building into an arts and cultural gallery space supported by a part-time project manager for three years.
Wee Waa Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce	$450,000	Yarrie Lake Water Security Project: To access groundwater to ensure safe and usable water levels at Yarrie Lake to underpin recreational tourism and create jobs during the delivery phase.
Walgett Walgett Shire Council	$450,000	PCYC Youth Centre: To construct a youth centre inside the PCYC to provide programs and amenities for young people.