Infrastructure a priority
In response to Martin Allen’s open letter, Gundagai Council administrator Christine Ferguson says the $9 million available through the major projects program will be to prioritise infrastructure for both the Gundagai and Cootamundra communities.
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Mrs Ferguson said funds left over, if any, may the go towards community projects but these projects must also be for infrastructure.
“The $1 million has to be put towards community projects, and the $9 million has to be used for infrastructure,” Mrs Ferguson said.
She said the funding, across two communities, will need to be carefully considered.
In Gundagai’s case, a new sewerage treatment plant will cost between $6.5 and $7 million, and is seen by council as a priority project.
“We need to be fair with the allocation of funding, but we also have to look at the main priorities. The Gundagai sewerage treatment works is quite urgent, we need to get that project done,” Mrs Ferguson said.
“We are currently awaiting the outcome of federal funding for the treatment plant which we should hear about shortly. We’ve put in an application for $3.25 million (through the National Stronger Regions Fund), and if we don’t get that round two is opening up later in the year.
We’ll also look at chasing state government funding and we’ve got $1 million in reserves for the project, but we will still need to use part of the $9 million for the project.
“There will be other things we’ll need to do across both areas. The $9 million is meant to be used for infrastructure so that’s what we’re sticking to.”
Mrs Ferguson said how other neighbouring councils allocate their funding is up to them.
“They’re different councils with different needs and priorities,” she said
Community groups have until September 23 to get applications in for a share of the $1 million Stronger Communities Fund, with successful projects set to be announced mid-October.
Mrs Ferguson said council expects to receive a good number of applications from community groups across both the Cootamundra and Gundagai areas.
“I look forward in anticipation to receiving many worth applications for projects that will enhance and improve community life for all residents,” she said.
A panel has been put together to assess the application for the Stronger Communities Fund, and will also look at larger infrastructure needs throughout the new council area in order to allocate the $9 million.
A further $5 million has been allocated to help towards the cost of establishing the new council.
Addiction to fossil fuels
I agree with everything Jim Main said in his letter to the editor about global warming (Cootamundra Herald, Wednesday, August 28).
Unfortunately, there are none so deaf as those who don’t wish to hear.
Every cigarette smoker knows the habit will lead to very unpleasant outcomes.
To avoid those consequences smokers must conquer their addiction before it is too late.
The world is addicted to fossil fuels, the addiction being fed by vested interests and lack of political leadership.
Smokers, if they are lucky enough to survive at all, often have an “ambulance conversion” on the way to the cardiac ward. Logic alone will not defeat addiction and wilful deafness.
Unfortunately, the world may have to wait for a “cardiac event” eg. the flooding of New York or the cremation of Los Angeles before politicians and those with selective deafness respond.
Let us hope it is not too late.
In the meantime, stand by for our first 50ºC day in Cootamundra.
