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26th February, 2009

WWCC persists for slice of Federal funding pie

Wagga Wagga City Council has welcomed further confirmation of funding opportunities announced by the Federal Government as part of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, noting that Councils have until 6 March to submit new proposals or reaffirm their support for existing applications.

Since last October, Council has now made several strong requests for Federal funding as part of the Government’s funding opportunities designed to support jobs, generate construction and build infrastructure in communities.

The latest application, to be submitted next week, will be to fund three significant water projects titled the “Wagga Wagga Waterways project” following Council’s decision last night to submit a new application to the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Fund’s extended pool from $50 million to $550 million.

The Waterways proposal comprises:

•    Elements from the Riverside Project including preparatory studies, as well as remedial works at Wiradjuri Reserve and Wilks Park
•    Environmental works at Wollundry Lagoon; and
•    Foreshore improvements at Lake Albert

General Manager Lyn Russell said that given the increase in the program by $500 million, Council’s chances of success with a good application were now greatly increased.

“Council is very hopeful that the waterways project will attract the funding as all three proposals are significant, would be of great benefit to not just Wagga Wagga, but to the region and will deliver immediate economic stimulus which is desirable by the funding guidelines.  

“A requirement is that applications are to be for $2 million or more, preference will be given to projects with partnership funding and only one application per Council will be accepted,” she said.

“There is also the element of urgency added to the work being completed, should it be funded, as the money must be spent within the six month timeframe of signing the Funding Agreement.”
Ms Russell pointed out that the River Precinct project and the environmental and foreshore works respectively at Wollundry Lagoon and Lake Albert, were ready to go and work could definitely be achieved in the six months.

“The approximate total amount of the application will be in excess of $5 million with Council and in kind works totalling at least $1 million,” she said. 

Another funding application Council submitted for Federal funding was back in October which was an application to Infrastructure Australia for three key City projects that would provide a major boost to our regional economy and local jobs.

Those projects were:

•     the provision of a road/rail interchange at Bomen
•     the upgrade and enhancement of the Wagga Wagga airport
•     the Murrumbidgee River Precinct project, Riverside Wagga Wagga.”

“These projects too are very important, especially with the Airport and Bomen upgrades following Rex’s announcement that their Australian Airline Pilot Academy will be relocated to Wagga Wagga,” she said. 

“To date, we haven’t heard anything on the status of this application but we will be pushing for all our projects which are eligible for the Federal Government funding to be assessed on their merits.”