WPRD Treasurer Emily Sinderberry, WPRD Administration Officer Hannah Deeves, WPRD Executive Officer Jess Loftus, WPRD Lake Cargelligo Representative Betty Breese, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and WPRD Chairperson Kathy Parnaby. Mr Coulton took a tour of the facility on Thursday, 18 November after WPRD received a $110,000 funding boost through the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund’s Network to Build Drought Resilience program for upgrades. Image Credit: Melissa Blewitt.

FEDERAL MEMBER TAKES A TOUR OF WPRD

Western Plains Regional Development Incorporated (WPRD) received a $110,000 funding boost through the Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund’s Network to Build Drought Resilience program for upgrades to the facility.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton visited the facility on Thursday, 18 November where he took a tour with WPRD Executive Officer Jess Loftus, and WPRD Chairperson Kathy Parnaby, and also met with other members of the organisation.

The funding had provided relief for the organisation to move forward, according to Jess.

“The WPRD building provides a community hub for a range of service providers who outreach to Condobolin, as well as our internal funded projects that are directly benefitting each and every community member throughout the whole of the Lachlan Shire,” Jess explained to the Argus in October.

“Our community building was starting to feel the brunt of the range of extreme weather conditions we experience in the Central West, which meant we have not been able to use the building to its full potential.

“On behalf of the executive committee and staff of WPRD, I would like to thank the Federal Government for providing us this opportunity.”

Former treasurer and one of the founders of the WPRD, Anne Coffey said part of the grant will be used to replace the roof and stormwater drainage.

“The building has had an enormous amount of water damage from storms; it needs some serious work which we don’t have the money for,” she stated.

“This will allow us to keep functioning and keep the building operating.”

“We’re absolutely grateful to Mark and the Federal Government for providing this funding – without it I don’t know what we were going to do.”

Mr Coulton said this funding will enable Western Plains Regional Development to boost community connectedness and help the Lachlan Shire better prepare for drought.

“I’m pleased to be able to support Western Plains Regional Development with this $110,000 grant to build drought resilience and social connection through an upgrade to its building at 18 William Street,” he declared.

“Western Plains Regional Development provides a broad range of services to the people of Condobolin and the wider Lachlan Shire, however the building is dated and in need of some serious TLC.

“This upgrade will provide a more welcoming meeting place for the community to use year-round, which will increase access to and use of the facility. This will go a long way in supporting the community’s wellbeing, putting them in better stead ahead of the next drought.”

Last Updated: 01/12/2021By

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