New shed and quad bike for Nambucca community groups

Scotts Head surf lifesavers and Valla hall committee members will be better able to meet the needs of the community next year through Round 5 grants from the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Programme.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the grants were a chance to build up community groups and acknowledge the great work they do for the community.

“Local volunteers and their community groups provide important services to our communities, which is why our Government is supporting them through $22.65 million in Round 5 Stronger Communities grants,” he said.

“Scotts Head Surf Life Saving Club will receive $11,500 toward a new quad bike and Nambucca Shire Council will receive $6,900 for a storage shed to be built alongside Valla Public Hall.

“Both these projects will improve the experience of locals and visitors to these two coastal towns.”

Macksville-Scotts Head Surf Life Saving Club Patrol Captain Michael Coulter said the grant funding would enable the club to buy a brand new all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and bolster the club’s emergency response capability.

“Club members are extremely excited by the prospect of getting a brand new Polaris Ranger ATV,” he said.

“It will be used for everything from patrolling Forster Beach to responding to emergencies and towing club equipment up the beach for carnivals and competitions.

“It makes much better sense to work together to buy a new ATV worth a total of $23,000, rather than to keep spending club’s money to repair the old Can-Am ATV.”

Valla Public Hall Committee Secretary Belinda Williams said the hall would better meet the needs of her community in 2020 due to a new storage shed being built early next year.

“The hall is used for everything from weddings, to club meetings and annual general meetings, plus art exhibitions, festivals, and choir practice,” she said.

“The $6,900 grant funding, combined with our own funds, will build a storage shed at the back of the hall, plus enable us to improve the appearance of the existing hall by giving both a new coat of paint in traditional heritage colours.

“I hope to employ a local builder and painter in the New Year to carry out these works.”

Further Stronger Communities Programme Round 5 grants are expected to be awarded in the coming weeks. The electorate of Cowper is expected to receive grants worth $150,000 in total.