Mayor's message - Border closure and funding opportunities

Published on 07 July 2020

The NSW Premier announced on Monday the NSW/Victorian border was to close.
Both the NSW and Victorian Premiers have indicated special arrangements will be made for border communities like Cobram, Barooga, Yarrawonga and Mulwala, with permits to cross the border for work and health related reasons to be issued.
At this stage, the details provided to us are still being worked through but we will keep our communities updated as soon as we receive any new information.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through these emerging issues. Moira Shire Council has received some wonderful funding news with two critical projects receiving grants for the continuing of services and upgrading of facilities.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes announced last week Moira Shire received $522,800 to extend Queensland Fruit Fly protection measures through the Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management Project.
This Management Project is a collaborative effort between industry, community and five local government areas to improve fruit fly management.
We are also pleased to have been successful in receiving $137,500 funding from the Federal Government’s Regional Airports Program to update the lighting at the Yarrawonga Aerodrome.
The total budget for this much needed project is $286,400 and Council will be contributing $148,900. With the continued expansion of local businesses in both Yarrawonga and across the border in Mulwala, larger aircraft such as moderate size twin engines and the jet-driven Cessna Citations are now frequent visitors to our aerodrome.
Importantly fixed wing and helicopter ambulance facilities are catered for 24 hours a day at the Yarrawonga aerodrome.
We currently have two funding opportunities open for applications from interested organisations.
Firstly, up to four Creative Hubs will be established across the shire and will deliver outcomes detailed in our inaugural Arts and Culture Strategy 2020-26 at a local level.
We will provide annual funding to each hub of $30,000 per year for three years with an additional $5,000 in the first year for establishment costs.
Ideally, each Creative Hub will support inclusive and connected communities, value the culture of our
First Nations Peoples, support youth-based programs, plan or provide exhibition and performance spaces, identify professional development opportunities for artists and performers, and plan for broader regional access to the arts.
The second funding opportunity is for the Innovative Services are Better Services program.
Innovative Services are Better Services has been developed in response to changes to funding arrangements for community care services to people with disabilities, who are frail or aged.
Funding up to $131,750 will be offered each year for three years.
We are looking for applications that demonstrate sustainability and can be used to leverage contributions from other sources including in-kind contributions.
For more details on each of these funding opportunities, to view information packs or to apply, go to our website.
Applications for Creative Hubs and Innovative Services are Better Services close 4pm Thursday 30 July 2020.

Stay safe everyone.