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Wellington delighted with State funding announcement for local initiativesWellington Shire Council is delighted with the State Government’s announcement of Bushfire Recovery Fund grants totalling $190,000 to help fund the major new Heyfield Hub community complex and much needed new visitor amenities in Dargo. By Wellington Shire Council - 11th July 2003 - Back to News The Hon John Brumby MP, Minister for State and Regional Development, made the announcement this week (10 July) while on a fact-finding visit to the Shire.
The Heyfield Hub will represent a substantial $740,000+ revamp of the present Heyfield Library and public hall, with the new-look complex comprising a much larger new library facility, an upgraded hall and a new Rural Transaction Centre.
Today Mr Brumby announced $100,000 for the project. This final funding component is particularly welcome because it means the Hub initiative can now progress at full pace, with community consultation on the plans to be carried out over the next couple months, construction work due to start by the end of October and completion expected by April 2004.
The money will help with the hall upgrade, including provision for a new kitchen and toilet areas. It adds to $180,000 State funding already pledged for the library section, which is set to expand from 38 sq.m to 230 sq.m, providing for a dramatic increase in the number of books and audio-visual items stocked, and a new dedicated area for PCs. There will also be a ramp installed to improve access for those with a disability.
Remaining funding for the Hub includes $156,000 from the Federal Government through its Rural Transaction Centre programme, $235,000 from Wellington Shire Council and $68,000 from the local community. This will be directed at the hall development.
Mr Brumby also took the opportunity to announce $90,000 funding for new visitor amenities on the Dargo recreation reserve. This will enable the existing, outdated 1960’s toilet block to be replaced with much improved up-to-date amenities, incorporating baby-changing and disabled facilities, along with a new picnic shelter, picnic tables and landscape enhancements. Wellington Shire Council is contributing $15,000 to the project.
Said Wellington’s Mayor John Jago: "We are delighted with these announcements which are great news for the communities of Heyfield and Dargo, providing both with much-needed new facilities. This success owes much to the hard work put in by all those who pulled the funding bids together."
During his visit to Wellington Minister Brumby took time to officially open the Heyfield Racecourse Wetlands Information Centre. A partnership between the local community, the Council and State Government – which has provided $300,000 towards the facility -it includes a strong educational component for visitors on the role of wetlands and on the timber industry. It also provides tourism information on Heyfield and the surrounding area, most notably the nationally significant Alpine National Park. A feature of the building is its use of locally produced and processed timbers.
The Centre was also the venue for the launch of the Sustainable Timber Enterprise Precinct marketing package.
In addition the Minister opened the newly-constructed $150,000 Heyfield Bus Interchange, which boasts greatly enhanced facilities for bus and coach passengers - with its location helping to improve the flow of traffic through the town. This Wellington Shire Council project, fully funded by the Timber Towns Support Program, has involved installation of a dedicated bus bay, shelter and footpath in Harbeck Street, along with vastly improved public toilets.
Mr Brumby helped launch the Gippsland Aviation Cluster Marketing Kit - a joint marketing effort by Wellington Shire and Latrobe City Councils to promote their aviation industry, including West Sale and Traralgon Airports. He was also taken on a fact-finding tour of the site for the multi-million-dollar Port of Sale redevelopment, viewing the Esso BHP Billiton Wellington Entertainment Centre currently under construction.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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