BY SAMUEL BARTLETT
Four Hunter MPs have each secured $300,000 in State funding for projects across the region through the 2020 Community Building Partnership Program with sporting facilities proving to be the big winners.
Wallsend, Cessnock, Newcastle and Maitland will each receive a share to be spread across various projects in their communities.
Wallsend MP, Sonia Horney will deliver much-needed improvements to local facilities including Baptist Care Hope Street who received $21,906 and will use the funds for the purchase of new freezers which "will allow them to store more precooked meals for the homeless and those in need," she said.
Students at Minmi Public School can look forward to a brand new Outdoor Learning Area, with the P&C Association winning $69,234 for the project, the biggest single investment from the program in the Hunter.
"I congratulate all the organisations that were successful in their application and look forward to seeing how these projects make a real difference for community groups in the area," Sonia Horney said.
MP Clayton Barr is also ecstatic that the Cessnock community will benefit from the grant with projects such as the Wollombi Tennis Association receiving $30,000 to install new fitness equipment.
"The list is really diverse and there's a wide range of projects so this program gives them a change to get some of that much needed funding," Mr Barr said.
Meanwhile, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp will also begin handing out the cash to organisations including the Newcastle Netball Association securing $50,000 to upgrade lighting.
Cooks Hill United will also be able to supply and install water to the Fearnley-Dawes Athletics Centre thanks to $38,000.
Tim Crakanthorp says with so many applicants, only 21 community groups made the cut.
"Very tough decisions had to be made and unfortunately some excellent applications had to miss out," he said
Maitland also received funds for 15 projects including $64,000 for a wheelchair lift at Maitland Men's Shed.
Maitland City Council also received a substantial allocation for the construction of female friendly amenities at Alan & Don Lawrence Oval in Thornton.
