New skate park a priority: Mayor

Published on 26 September 2019

Council will make the new skate park project its sole focus in the current round of the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities funding.

Council has already committed $350,000 toward a new skate park and is hoping to see that amount matched through the State's funding program.

In June Minister for Western NSW, Adam Marshall, announced that $843,000 in funding would be made available for local projects that benefit youth and the community.

Mayor Darriea Turley AM said the new skate park project was a perfect fit for the funding guidelines.

"A lot of people were disappointed when the skate park missed out on funding last time, so we really wanted to ensure it has the best chance possible this time around," she said.

"It's a project we're very committed to, and I believe it will be of great benefit to the city's youth."

Mayor Turley said Council also contemplated making a submission for new play equipment for Queen Elizabeth Park, but decided against it.

"The upgrade of that park will be a major project with significant cost involved, and we were mindful that there's only $843,000 up for grabs in this round," said Mayor Turley.

"I understand Lifeline, Foundation Broken Hill, Broken Hill Community Inc, and others have submitted worthwhile projects for this round of funding, and it's important we don't vie for the entirety of the funds to the possible detriment of these community groups.

"We'll instead look to access different funding streams and work with the Machine Preservation Society to take a coordinated approach to the upgrade of Queen Elizabeth Park in due course."

Successful projects under the current round of funding are expected to be announced from January 2020.