One of Crescent Head’s recreational spaces, the community garden, will bloom better than ever this spring thanks to a $7,220 grant from the Australian Government.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the Crescent Head Community Garden group was one of 30 groups nation-wide to receive support through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s Tackling Tough Times Together program.
“The Tackling Tough Times Together program has a range of benefits, including keeping money flowing through shops and suppliers and supporting communities that have been affected by the recent drought,” he said.
“A total of $7,220 will be provided to the Crescent Head Community Garden Club to erect a garden shed, buy some tools and build three new raised garden beds for the 50 or so members who use the garden.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said this latest injection of Government support for 30 individual projects nationwide came at a critical time.
“While COVID-19 has been on the forefront of all our minds, we know that drought and the recent bushfires remains a key concern to many of our regional communities,” Mr McCormack said.
“Our $15 million funding assistance to the Tackling Tough Times Together program has supported hundreds of projects run by local groups in drought-affected regional communities that build social cohesion, reduce social isolation, develop local capacity and leadership skills, address disadvantage and stimulate economic activity.
“I have been nothing short of amazed at the strength and resilience rural and regional Australia continues to demonstrate as they support each other through the tough times.”
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said projects supported through the program help families and businesses in regional communities cope with the stress of the drought while stimulating economic activity and renewing local infrastructure.
In addition to an expansion of Crescent Head Community Garden, other projects funded through the program this round are a new skatepark in Condingup, silo art in Paringa and an outdoor pavilion in Moonie.
Crescent Head Community Garden Principle Coordinator Amy Bruce thanked the Australian Govrnment for the grant and said it would deliver phase 2 of the club’s garden plan.
“Phase 1 of the garden was completed in 2019 through donations from the Crescent Head Country Club and Elders and this was our first two raised garden beds,” Ms Bruce said.
“In phase 2, three new raised garden beds will be put in, which will more than double the space we have to garden in.
“In addition, we hope to be able to install a water tank to harvest the water off the community hall and build a tool shed.
“The community garden helps to bring people together because they share a love of gardening.
“We welcome all new members and meet on the first Sunday of each month – our next monthly meeting for people to consider coming along to is this Sunday, 6 September, from 10am.”
More information on the Tackling Tough Times Together program and the latest round of recipients can be found on the Foundation’s website here or by visiting the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website here.
