Mayor's Message - Moira receives $1 million drought funding

Published on 17 July 2020

Moira Shire Council has received confirmation of $1 million in drought funding to undertake some much needed projects throughout the shire.

I welcome the news of this drought aid package from the Federal Government.

This funding will make an enormous amount of difference and allow us to undertake and complete projects now, instead of them being put into our ‘wish list’.

The nominated projects are spread the length and breadth of the shire with the townships of Nathalia, Numurkah, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Picola, Yarroweyah, Wunghnu and Tungamah all receiving funding for much needed projects.

It is in these times that our local businesses, community and council unite to support each other.

I would like to thank our Federal Member Damian Drum, who continues to work with us and advocate on our behalf.

Even though Moira Shire has received some much needed recent rainfall, we have experienced multiple disappointing growing seasons in a row, hopefully this year will be a bumper crop for our dryland farmers.

For every job on-farm, there are at least four off-farm, for example in processing, transport and even finance and banking, so when our agriculture sector suffers there is a flow on effect to all areas of business.

The $1 million funding would assist the delivery of $2.34 million in projects including –

• Replacement of the change rooms at the Tungamah Recreation Reserve and Community Gym;

• Construction of an accessible bathroom with toilet and shower facilities and baby change table at the Yarroweyah Football Netball Club;

• Addition of a storage room and accessible toilet to the Picola Hall;

• Replacement of toilets, showers and change room at the Wunghnu Recreation Reserve;

• Installation of irrigation system, storage tank and boost pump at Victoria Park, Yarrawonga;

• Expansion and upgrade of the existing irrigation system at the Nathalia Recreation Reserve;

• The extension of the Numurkah Skate Park;

• Installation of a permanent outdoor gym at the Nathalia parklands;

• Installation of a playground including play equipment and rubber surfacing at Federation Park, Cobram.

Councillors were keen to see the funding spread across the shire and I think we have been able to achieve that and link the federal funding into Council budgets to deliver some larger projects than would have been possible through Council funds.