Liberal Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres today announced $139,000 in joint local infrastructure partnerships with the Blue Mountains City Council to build and repair deteriorating local facilities in Glenbrook.
The package involves a 50/50 co-contribution between council and state funding for the following local projects:
- $90,000 upgrade of the childcare centre on Park Street
- $24,000 construction of a downhill bike track at Knapsack Reserve
- $15,000 timber floor refurbishment of the Glenbrook Hall
- $10,000 upgrade of the amenities block at Glenbrook oval
\”This is a big win for the lower Mountains, working with the council to freshen up local facilities for future generations is one of the most exciting parts of this job\” Mr Ayres said today.
Blue Mountains City Mayor Daniel Miles said the funding helps relieve the strain after years of cost-shifting from the state government onto local councils.
\”For so long the state government has imposed unreasonable costs onto the ratepayers of our community. It is great that Stuart Ayres recognised this fact when he met with us and has moved to turn some of this cost-shifting in the other direction.\” Cr Miles said.
\”Stuart has demonstrated he wants to go out and get things done in his area and I look forward to working even more closely with him as we seek to root out the buck-passing between the different levels of government.\”
The Building Community Partnerships Program, run annually, gives funding to local government and not for profit groups who are in need of infrastructure. Each application is evaluated by the local Member for Parliament on its contribution to community life, and government experts evaluate the economic benefits.
”One of the great things about this program is that it enables the local member of Parliament to engage directly with applicants, it’s great to get out of the office and meet theperson on the street, to find out what’s needed in the community and to assist wherever possible.” Mr Ayres said.
”I spoke to representatives from many groups, I got to go out and meet the volunteers who are giving so much to all of us through their dedication, and I got to see the need in the community for each applicant’s work. It was a fantastic experience.”
”This is one of the best bits of my job. Achieving real change for Penrith and the lower Mountains.”
