In the current circumstances, I sometimes find it hard to contemplate a time when things will get back to normal, but that time will come, and hopefully sooner rather than later.
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Council have to keep planning for those times, and so it was a great pleasure last week to be part of the announcement that council have been awarded funding for three projects by the New South Wales Government under round 3 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.
I joined the Member for Oxley, The Hon Melinda Pavey MP, on Thursday last week as we attended each of the successful locations - while also carefully maintaining all social distancing protocols!
As you can see from the photo, we still managed to play a bit at the playground.
The three council projects that have received grant funding are each tremendously heart-warming.
The playground and picnic area at Willawarrin will get a much-needed upgrade, which will be funded by the Government and council in partnership.
This will provide a great venue for local families to gather and play once the social distancing restrictions are eased.
At Gladstone, there is a real need for external refurbishment of Gladstone Hall and Art Gallery and the funding we have received will almost entirely pay for that, providing a great face lift for a much-loved community facility.
Finally, I'm so glad to see funding for Nestle Park in Smithtown.
At present the toilets there are closed due to coronavirus, but now we can make plans for a new amenities block to replace the ageing facility, which will be funded by council and the state government in partnership.
It is richly rewarding to be able to take these moments to plan for a time after coronavirus and to take steps to further improve this amazing community and move with confidence into a better future.
