MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, 17/04/2020
Ms Saffin said the Showground Stimulus Funding was a golden opportunity to upgrade and maintain showgrounds, which were a vital focal point for local communities across her electorate of Lismore.
“Not to be confused with a similar two-year Federal program announced last year, this State funding is new and will be administered through an expedited proposal and grants process for the current 2019-20 financial year,” Ms Saffin said.
“I welcome NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey’s advice to me that a streamlined approach will be adopted for works projects that can be started across this financial year and the 2020-21 financial year.
“For this financial year, the Government intends to allocate funding to projects that are able to be delivered without requiring planning approvals or undertaking detailed supporting studies that would delay delivery.
“Such projects could include kitchen facility upgrades, plumbing, electrical and irrigation upgrades, painting, fencing, roadworks and paving, roofing, flooring and wall improvements, and engagement of local suppliers and tradespeople is encouraged.”
The deadline for funding proposals for 2019-20 financial year funding is 5pm, Friday, April 24, 2020.
Ms Saffin said the 2020-21 financial year is geared towards larger projects like new developments, maintenance and upgrade works that might require council planning approvals and supporting studies, but smaller projects still can be included.
The deadline for funding proposals for 2020-21 financial year funding is 5pm, Friday, May 29, 2020.
Ms Saffin said her office had immediately reached out to showground managers to provide an information package, mindful of the extremely tight timeframes for lodging proposals.
“I’ve always admired the hard work show stalwarts put into to bringing the best of the country to town — year in, year out — and I see this stimulus funding as an opportunity to revamp tired infrastructure and to keep our tradies in work during the current COVID-19 restrictions,” Ms Saffin said.
