THE Derwent Valley Council is set to receive nearly $125,000 in federal funds to help build and renew community infrastructure, it was announced by the Federal Member for Lyons, Dick Adams MHR, late last week. The Federal Government is delivering new funding to all local councils through Round 5 of the Regional Development Fund and the Liveable Cities Program.
“This is great news for the widespread regions of Lyons - with these projects will come more jobs and a boost to the local economy," Mr Adams said. “This new investment builds on our earlier record of funding community infrastructure to create jobs and drive economic growth in regional and local communities”, Mr Adams said.
“This federal funding boost will allow our councils to start on ‘shovel ready’ projects, generating new economic activity as soon as possible. The councils can use these funds to build and renew community infrastructure such as sporting facilities, libraries, town halls and playgrounds. This investment may also be of benefit to essential community services such as child care facilities”, Mr Adams said.
To receive the money, councils will need to outline the projects they intend to put this funding towards. Funding is based on the current distribution of the Financial Assistance Grants. Alerting the council to the new funding at last week's council meeting, Councillor Damian Bester asked that the public be invited to suggest suitable projects. Mayor Martyn Evans said this would done if the government's timeframe allowed it.
Indeed the public should be asked for ideas on how to allocate these funds! It is NOT the prerogative of the Mayor to decide - we'd end up with more fishing ramps, cricket pitches and so on - let alone a white elephant like to so-called sound shell at Tynwald Park - what an abysmal construction that is. For goodness sake council, jump to it - you should already have been asking the people!!!!
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