Members of the Yass Community Grants Working Group can look forward to seeing the fruits of their labor unfold after successfully championing a project to Council to see a Learn-to-Ride circuit created in Yass.
The volunteers involved have something worth bottling; talent and skill for grant writing and a passion to enrich community life. Members lobbied councillors, wrote grant applications and assisted Yass Valley Council with letters of support to secure the NSW government “Stronger Country Communities funding grant of $114,0000 announced on Monday.
“The Yass Community Grants Working Group is very pleased that this worthwhile project is being funded. It is a very positive outcome achieved by the community and Council working cooperatively together,” responded Natalie Bishop on behalf of the group.
Ms Bishop, a local mother, explained how the group formed and decided to champion this project.
YCWG members pictured above L-R At back – Karen Visser and Natalie Bishop and Front – Ania Wardle joined by Olek, a future Learn to ride park user and Sophie Scroope. Other members who contributed to the project included Zoe Constance, Ali Beresford and Karin Laird.
“It was a direct result of community members connecting on social media in response to grants rounds announced early in 2019. Ideas were shared about projects that they would like to see happen in Yass. Several community members decided to volunteer time to try and make some suggestions come to life and first approached Council with the Learn to Ride bike track idea.”
The Yass Learn to Ride Centre is expected to have the look and feel of a real road environment complete with road signs, round-about, pedestrian crossing and footpaths to provide a safe space for young cyclists to learn valuable riding skills.
Ms Bishop explained the project has been a work in progress since 2019.
“Since April 2019 volunteers from the group worked steadily with Council to draft a grant response, suggest a draft design and secure letters of support from key stakeholders including Berinba Public School, Yass Public, Onerwal LALC, Yass Little Learners, The Montessori Preschool, YECCA and Goodstart amongst others.”
Council has earmarked a portion of Miles Franklin Park for the project.
The group is also prepared to help others with their grant writing and new members are welcome.
“If anyone in the region has another community grant idea they need help with, or if you are interested to get involved with the group regularly or occasionally, please contact YCGWG on yasscommunitygrants@gmail.com. YCGWG meets monthly.
Also announced in the grant round is $125,160 for Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds Storage & Horse Yards Upgrade.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said, “The Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds Storage will provide space for the grounds user groups to keep their equipment and the Horse Yard Upgrades will complement the existing equestrian facilities.”
Yass Valley Mayor Rowena Abbey thanked the State government.
“Both projects will bring significant benefits to our community and we are extremely grateful to the State Government for providing this grant funding,” Clr Abbey said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said more than 500 projects are being funded through the program, with funding specifically dedicated to nearly 300 projects or programs that will benefit regional youth.
“The Stronger Country Communities Fund is already making a real difference to people right across regional NSW, with work commencing or underway in every local government area across regional NSW on more than 1,000 projects,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The NSW Government is investing record amounts to deliver the big picture infrastructure needed to stimulate economies and boost drought resilience, but we’re also backing community projects that make a big positive difference to everyday life. “These two projects are exactly what round three of the Stronger Country Community Fund was designed to deliver and I congratulate Yass Valley Council on securing funding for these two important projects.”
Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor said the allocation would be welcomed by young people living in the region.
“Projects like the Learn to Ride Centre are crucial to ensuring young people can thrive where they live – right now and long into the future.”
The NSW government has declared the Stronger Country Communities Fund is part of the $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, which together with the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund is delivering once-in-a-generation infrastructure that generates opportunities, investment and jobs. For further information, go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-growth-fund/stronger-countrycommunities-fund
