THIS year’s Community Building Partnership (CBP) grants have received a $100,000 boost following the release of the State Budget.
Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams said she was very pleased that the grant allocation for her electorate was now $400,000.
“While it is good that millions of dollars have been allocated for many projects in the Port Macquarie electorate, it is fantastic that so many grassroots initiatives may be able to be provided through the popular CBP grants program,” Ms Williams said.
“The extra funding allocation for this program will allow for many more projects to be financed and I encourage community organisations and local councils to submit projects for consideration.
“Further examination of the budget papers has also revealed an additional $9 million for local road improvements.”
These allocations include:
* $2.5 million for maintenance works on state roads.
* $2.4 million for specific maintenance and minor repairs on state roads.
* $1.3 million for restoration of natural disaster damage to roads and bridges.
* $835,000 for routine and minor safety works.
* $750,000 for repair works to the Dennis Bridge over the Hastings River.
* $488,000 for pavement resurfacing works on the Pacific Highway.
* $296,000 grants to councils for regional roads.
* $250,000 non skid resurfacing for Rawdon Island Road curves on the Oxley Highway.
* $124,000 for road safety officers and school crossing supervisors.
* $54,000 for pavement resurfacing of parts of the Oxley Highway.
Ms Williams said the budget also had allocations for improving transport in the Port Macquarie electorate with more than $1 million for Hastings Macleay Community Transport Services, $393,865 for the provision of bus travel concessions for pensioners and students and $195,000 allocated for various maintenance repair programs for the Country Rail Network.
“I have worked very hard lobbying ministers to fund many initiatives in the Port Macquarie electorate and the budget reflects the efforts of my staff and I in trying to achieve as much as possible local communities,” Ms Williams said.
