December 14, 2018
The partial rejection of a Council grant application may turn out to be good news for fans of Wondai’s iconic dingo sculptures.
At December’s monthly meeting, Councillors voted to revise an application to the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Program after receiving advice a proposed ‘on farm improvements’ project did not meet the grant’s guidelines.
The Drought Communities Program is an initiative designed to provide councils in drought-stricken areas with funding for drought relief projects.
It has allotted up to $1 million to the South Burnett for projects that meet its criteria.
Last month, the Council voted to spend the grant in the following ways:
- $500,000 on extra gravel resheeting of rural roads,
- $250,000 for on-farm improvements to help the region’s rural property owners minimise the impact of drought,
- $100,000 to upgrade the Durong truck parking area, and
- $150,000 to renovate the Wondai Showgrounds grandstand; upgrade the Maidenwell Sportsground’s toilets and power supply; and install a standpipe at Hivesville.
Council has now received advice that while most of its proposed projects meet the grant’s guidelines, the farm improvements project does not.
To replace it, the Council will now ask the Federal Government to approve a $250,000 ‘Community Infrastructure Improvement Program’ instead.
The new program includes the following projects:
- Replacing Wondai’s dingo statue, which was vandalised earlier this year
- Re-roofing the Proston Showgrounds’ pavilion/hall
- Replacing and upgrading the toilet and shower in the Murgon SES building
- Installing an hydraulic chairlift at Kingaroy Swimming Pool
- Purchasing heat blankets for Nanango Swimming Pool
- An equipment shed for Wondai Swimming Pool
- External repainting of Nanango’s aged care units in Appin Street
The proposal was moved by Cr Fleischfresser, seconded by Cr Potter and carried unanimously.
- Related article: Council Seeks $1m Federal Grant
