Mayo shares in $135,000 to build stronger communities

Posted November 30, 2017

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has welcomed the news that more than $135,000 in grants has been approved for 17 projects across the region.

The small capital projects are being funded by the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Programme and range from improvements to the skate park at Kingscote on Kangaroo Island to an essential equipment trailer to help Hills communities affected by extended blackouts.

Another two projects are waiting on final approval from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science in order to share in another $15,000.

“A little goes a long way in our communities who do so much with matched-funding grants to improve the infrastructure and the lives of local residents,” Rebekha said.

“The approved Stronger Communities grants are building playgrounds and boardwalks, buying tools and installing audiovisual equipment.

“I’d like to thank all the community groups who put in applications for funding and I’d also like to thank the members of our community consultation committee who helped to identify priority projects and ensure the best possible outcomes for our communities.”

The successful recipients were:

• Strathalbyn and Districts Basketball Association: $2,624 for $5,250 project for new uniforms to keep costs down for families.
• Strath Neighbourhood Centre: $12,810 for a $120,000 project to install a commercial kitchen in the Strathalbyn Senior Citizens Club which is co-located with the centre.
• Community Planning for Recovery SIBL Inc: $8,600 for $17,500 project for a Community Recovery Trailer to serve the Scott Creek, Ironbank, Bradbury and Longwood region of the Adelaide Hills in the event of a bushfire or extended power outage.
• Cherry Gardens Ironbank Recreation Ground: $4,000 for $10,000 to upgrade kitchen facilities.
• The Kersbrook Shed Inc: $10,000 for $20,000 project for tools and equipment.
• Callington Memorial Hall: $8,726 for a $40,000 project to upgrade the kitchen, storage and display areas and the installation of heating and cooling.
• Nature Foundation SA: $8,900 for a $20,000 biosphere project to build two bird hides, a boardwalk and a shed and the purchase of a small motorboat at the Watchalunga Nature Reserve in the Finniss and Tookayerta catchments.
• Encounter Bay Football Club: $7,000 for a $25,000 project to upgrade kitchen facilities.
• Victor Harbor Netball Club: $7,500 for $15,000 project with the Victor Harbor Tennis Club to seal a section of a sloping gravel path adjacent to the entrance to the oval.
• Lions Park Victor Harbor: $15,441 for $40,000 project by the City of Victor Harbor and Lions Club of Victor Harbor and Port Elliot to improve irrigation and landscaping in Lions Park.
• Inman Valley Community and Memorial Hall Association: $10,483 for $23,000 project to make the facility more accessible for people with disabilities and to improve landscaping.
• Cape Jervis Community Recreation and Sporting Club: $5,850 for $12,500 project to upgrade the function centre and provide a luncheon venue for visiting tour bus companies.
• Myponga Progress Association: $8,000 towards $95,000 project to build a children’s play space with all-weather bike paths, an edible garden, nature play and covered barbecue meeting place.
• Penneshaw Maritime and Folk Museum: $5,000 for $19,000 project by the National Trust of SA to build a new storeroom for artefacts and to convert an existing storeroom into a display centre.
• Advance Kingscote Association: $10,026 towards $235,676 project to upgrade the youth skate park at the Kingscote Oval.
• American River Progress Association: $4,307 towards $8714 to install an entertainment system in the community hall.
• Kangaroo Island Council: $5,000 for $10,000 project to install an audiovisual Kingscote Town Hall.

The Stronger Communities Programme allocated $150,000 to the electorate of Mayo for clubs, council and not-for-profit organisations that could match funds for small capital projects with their own finances or in-kind support.

The latest allocation was part of the third and final round of the program.