Council welcomes Restart funding
Wingecarribee Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Juliet Arkwright has today welcomed the news that the Southern Highlands will receive funding worth $7.5 million for the Bowral Distributor Bypass project and $900,000 for assisted accomodation for disabled people in Mittagong under the State Government’s Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund.
“This announcement is fantastic news for our Shire and is bound to generate jobs, growth and employment opportunities for years to come,” Councillor Arkwright said.
“Together with my lobbying of the State Government, Council fought hard to be recognised and included in this scheme and I congratulate the NSW State Government for acknowledging the important contribution the Southern Highlands plays in our broader region,” she said.
“I’d like to pay particular thanks to the member for Kiama, Mr Gareth Ward for his championing of our cause and pivotal support for our region.”
The $100 million Restart NSW Illawarra Infrastructure Fund was established by the NSW State Government to help fund priority infrastructure projects across the Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Kiama and Wingecarribee Local Government Areas.
Successful projects were nominated from shortlisted potential developments put forward by each Local Government Area after meetings were held with Local Leaders Groups, which included representatives from Regional Development Australia Illawarra and the Far South Coast, Wollongong University, regional Business Chambers, the Port Kembla Port Corporation and local councils.
“I’d like to also thank our local community and business leaders for attending the public forums that were held earlier in the year and throwing their support behind these projects,” Councillor Arkwright said. “Without their input, I have no doubt we wouldn’t be celebrating these announcements today.”
Construction on the $12 million dollar Bowral Town Centre Distributor Bypass Road project is expected to commence in 2015 following detailed design work with State Government agencies and extensive community consultation. The project is designed to relieve traffic congestion through Bowral and better improve traffic management. Better connections to public transport will also be included in the scheme.
The assisted accomodation for disabled people in Mittagong project is a partnership between Wingecarribee Shire Council and Challenge Southern Highlands who operate, amongst other things, the Welby Garden Centre. Council has committed a building lot and $390,000 towards the establishment of a small complex to accommodate people with disabilities to live independently.
For further comment please Wingecarribee Shire Mayor, Councillor Juliet Arkwright on mobile 0438 249 180.