Three projects in the Upper Murray have received funding under the third and final round of the Local Community Projects Grants program.

The sand scrape greens at the Corryong golf course will be replaced with state-of-the-art synthetic turf following an announcement that the Corryong Sporting Complex (CSC) had been successful with an application for bushfire recovery funding and $327,004 is being provided to support the golf course upgrade.

A $304,420 upgrade of the facilities at the Tintaldra Recreation Reserve will also be funded.

The grants are jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The Corryong golf project will provide a ‘point of difference’ as a golfing facility and enhanced golfing experience for locals and visitors alike as well as promoting healing and recovery through the encouraging of healthy activities and connection.

“This is a real game changer for the sport of golf in the region,” said Corryong Sporting Complex president, Shane Blake.

“The expected increase in tourism visitation will have a positive impact on the regional economy.

“With increased local participation through formal golf programs, particularly for older citizens and youth, it will also help improve the physical and mental wellbeing of bushfire-affected community members.

“Our thanks go to the Commonwealth and Victorian governments for delivering this important funding as part of its bushfire recovery process.”

It is expected that the golf club project will be completed by mid-2023.

It will complement the local lawn bowls and tennis clubs at the Corryong Recreation Reserve which have both recently installed synthetic surfaces.

After the disappointment of being ruled ineligible for the Black Summer Bushfire Grants, the Committee of Management of the Tintaldra Recreation Reserve is thrilled to have received funding for the revitalisation of the community facility.

The improvements will include renovated tennis courts, new age-appropriate play equipment for under fives and resurfacing of the equine area.

It is expected that the works will begin soon with the courts being completed by summer 2023/24.

A grant of $183,101 was also announced for the for the Upper Murray Region Community Catering Hub to construct a shed to house catering equipment that the community will have low-cost access to during emergencies and for public events and training.

Startup Shakeup Inc will receive $225,000 for provision of in-region digital training for small businesses and community organisations within Towong and Alpine Shires.

Member for Indi, Helen Haines, said this funding added to the total of bushfire funding that had already been allocated to the electorate.

“More than $121 million in bushfire recovery funding has flowed to Indi since the Black Summer bushfires including for community-building projects like the ones funded in this latest round.

“It is positive to see funding awarded for the Tintaldra Recreation Reserve, which was wrongly rejected for funding by the former Federal government due to a technicality about their ABN.”

The DRFA program has made $3.7 million available to 10 community organisations to deliver projects that support the recovery of the local economy, building a sense of community pride and connectedness.

Victorian Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes, said the funding supports major projects to boost business, jobs and industry across the region and smaller, local-level projects to benefit community recovery after the fires.

“Locals know best when it comes to what they need to recover and rebuild from disaster,” she said.

“We’ve always been guided by them when it comes to recovery and we’ll continue to back affected communities through that journey for as long as it takes.”

Other community organisations in Victoria to receive bushfire recovery funding include Alpine Health, Benambra Neighbourhood House, East Gippsland Rail Trail, Totally Renewable Yackandandah, Wilderness Workspace in Mallacoota and new sporting and recreation facilities in Buchan.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 16 February 2023.