Mayor Abb McAlister has welcomed the recent announcement that the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) will receive $1 million of drought relief funding from the federal government.
Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said CGRC and Junee councils would both receive $1 million, bringing to 11 the number of Riverina electorate councils now included in the drought communities program.
Councillor McAlister said the extra funding had been discussed at a workshop before Tuesday's council meeting, and councillors had decided to hold a special workshop in two weeks to look at a list of projects and consider which could be prioritised.
"The main reason for the funding is to boost local employment opportunities, stimulate local spending and address social and community needs," he said.
"No doubt we'll be looking at something in each town or village.
"We're very appreciative of the federal government, and especially Mr McCormack.
"When we didn't get it before I stated my point of view, and he said hopefully next time, and if they had some extra funding there, we could get something from it, and he's stood by his word.
"We're certainly in a drought situation here, even though we got that bit of rain recently.
"This time of the year all it does is wash a lot of dry feed and in some cases makes the situation worse.
"We will workshop and prioritise it in a fortnight, and we're very happy to receive it."
