ALTHOUGH many community activities are unable to take place at present, projects are still proceeding across the Gannawarra Shire.
Improvements continue to be made with the assistance of the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme.
Recent progress includes the installation of a new entrance gateway to the Cohuna Recreation Reserve.
Former Cohuna Kangas Football Netball Club president, Grant Lunghusen, explained why the new entry gate is situated much further from the road than its predecessor.
“On game days there was always a bit of a backlog of traffic onto the main road, especially at finals time,” he said.
That meant people wanting to get across the town bridge to access the camping ground or continue past the football ground were stuck behind those waiting to enter the recreation reserve.
The new gateway features black steel panelling and Red Gum, with the latter reflecting the region’s forest areas.
A modern ticket box offers greater protection for ticket sellers.
Mr Lunghusen hopes further funding will become available in future, making it possible to add an extra steel panel on each side of the entrance.
He envisages these additional panels incorporating laser cut images of the various sports held in the precinct, along with livestock representing the Cohuna Show.
As a partner project manager, Mr Lunghusen has worked closely with Gannawarra Shire Council to achieve the transition, which was first mooted about four years ago.
Gannawarra Shire Council announced in late 2019 that 37 initiatives, activities and infrastructure projects would benefit from $1 million of Federal Government drought funding.
These Stage 1 projects were initially scheduled to be completed by June 30 this year.
Gannawarra Shire Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said Council is well on the way to achieving that timeframe and spoke of some of the accomplishments thus far.
“This program is already benefiting residents in Macorna, Lake Charm and Quambatook, where small measures such as recreation reserve road grading, walking track improvements and building repairs are complete,” Councillor Learmonth said.
“The installation of exercise equipment at Lake Charm and Quambatook is also occurring, which residents in both towns will benefit from once social distancing measures are lifted.”
Works are currently taking place at the Leitchville Memorial Hall, with a projector and screen installed this week.
“The painting of the hall will occur throughout May, with the refurbishment of the venue’s existing community garden underway,” Councillor Learmonth said.
Meanwhile, the rollout of community resilience projects remains on hold due to efforts to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Details and updates on all projects supported by funding from the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme is available online at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/droughtfunding
