Murray-Darling Basin communities in Farrer are set to benefit from more than $6.3 million in grants under the third round of the Coalition Government’s Economic Development Program (EDP).

Minster for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt joined with local MP Sussan Ley in Leeton to announce a $1 million grant for the Roxy Community Theatre Community Hub, one of eight local projects* awarded a grant under the Program.

Ms Ley said the grants are helping strengthen and diversify the economies of local communities impacted by aspects of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

“The projects being funded across my electorate also include proposals at Barooga, Deniliquin, Hay, Finley, Tocumwal and Wentworth,” Ms Ley said.

“Each of the proposed developments help these communities by using local suppliers and resources as well as local knowledge to drive the best outcomes for our region.”

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt said the funding in Farrer was just the first in a series of Basin wide announcements to be made on the successful round 3 economic development projects.

“I will soon be announcing other successful projects that will create new jobs in Murray-Darling Basin communities where the pace of change has been rapid and the impacts profound,” Minister Pitt said.

“We are providing opportunities for Basin communities affected by the Murray–Darling Basin Plan to be at the heart of decisions on how to stimulate their economies.

“The approved projects will create new jobs as they are delivered as well as enduring employment opportunities, increase the capacity of communities to diversify and strengthen their local economies, and help them to manage their current and future economic challenges and changes.

“This program recognises that communities know how best to tackle the challenges they face, and what kinds of economic activity would support people in their own areas.”

“Across the Basin, people have been dealing with the biggest water reform in Australia’s history along with drought, demographic change and commodity price change,” Minister Pitt said.

“Many communities are doing it tough. This funding recognises the pressures that many people in Basin’s rural and regional communities are under, and seeks to create new economic activity and job opportunities for impacted communities.

“Close to $39 million of funding has already been approved under Rounds 1 and 2 of the program for a huge array of activities-from thermal hot spring upgrades to business mentoring, ecotourism trails, agri-tourism projects and aerodrome developments.”

*List of projects in Farrer

• Edward River Council – Deniliquin’s Seniors’ Living Precinct – Stage 1 = $1,000,000
• Finley Regional Care – New on site Medical Facility – $1,000,000
• Hay Shire Council – Material Recovery (Recycling) Facility – $1,350,000
• Leeton Shire Council – Roxy Theatre community hub – $999,999
• Tocumwal Pre-School Kindergarten – new purpose-built Child Care Centre – $1,000,000
• Wentworth Shire Council – Community Space and Convention Centre – $713,339
• Destination Riverina Murray – Digital skills development for regional tourism businesses – $75,238
• Barooga Sports Club – 5km Bullanginya Lagoon Arts Walk – $250,000