A meeting will be held next Wednesday, October 2 to identify projects that could be funded and to establish the priority projects for council to include in its application to the funding program.
“The projects cover all areas with a mix of town specific and council-wide projects,” Federation Council’s director corporate and community services Jo Shannon told The Free Press.
“Council officers identified the projects and are issuing invitations for attendance to 18 people, from Corowa, Mulwala, Rand, Urana and Oaklands. Councillors and senior staff will also be in attendance.”
Information on the funding program, particularly in relation to the eligibility criteria, and projects already identified will be circulated to participants in advance of the meeting.
Priority projects will be submitted to the council’s next monthly meeting on October 15 for consideration when determining the final projects that will be included in the funding application
Federation Council is eligible for $1 million. The program is designed to provide an immediate economic stimulus to drought-affected communities and is administered by AusIndustry – Support for Business, within the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
In line with council’s resolution in July 2019, council officers identified appropriate individuals representing a range of interests to be part of a Drought Support Committee.
Ms Shannon informed councillors of the current situation at their monthly meeting on September 17.
For that meeting, council also received a report from General Manager Adrian Butler in respect of far more reliable sources of water for the Urana Aquatic Centre. Mr Butler made the following recommendation which was adopted by council:
Council submits this project to be funded by the Federal Government Drought funding program.
If successful funding is obtained, Council apply for a new Water Access License, (WAL) to allow an allocation of around 800 mega litres (megs) from the Colombo Creek system.
Council make a formal application to the Riverina Water County Council (RWCC) for the use of the existing RWCC pipeline and pump, to the Urana Water Treatment Plant from Colombo Creek.
Pending approvals of above, council proceed with the construction of a pipeline from the RWCC pipeline to the Urana Aquatic Centre.
Cr Fred Longmire raised the possibility of the Urana situation being included in Federation Council’s overall drought support program (mentioned earlier in this story).
But Mayor Pat Bourke, in the absence of Mr Butler who was on official business in Sydney, said the Urana project was a standalone project which should proceed as such and without any possible interference or delay.
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