Armidale and Uralla projects share $84,000 in state stimulus funding

The successful Iron Man Welders youth program, Drummond Park Pre-School and Uralla Council’s upgrade of its Landfill and Recycling Centre were all winners from the state community building partnership stimulus package announced today.
The three organizations share $84,500 for projects that will generate work for local businesses, workers and tradespeople as well as improving local infrastructure.
Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay welcomed the funding and said all three projects would have lasting benefits.
“Often it is lack of funding that holds back many worthwhile ventures and I am sure that the whole community will gain from this package,” he said.
The funding includes
· $18,000 for Tablelands Community Employment and Training to assist with the $91,000 upgrade of the Iron Man Welders Workshop on Waterfall Way.
· $16,500 for the Drummond Park Pre-School to assist with the $67,161 project to build a new classroom and improved disable access and facilities.
· $50,000 to the Uralla Shire Council towards its $120,000 project to add to its landfill and recycling centre to incorporate a recycling facility for Computerbank New England, development of an opportunity shop and undercover drop off area.
Uralla Mayor Cr Ron Filmer said Council would match the stimulus funding it had received from both the State and Commonwealth to move ahead with the upgrade of the town’s landfill and recycling centre “It’s great when the three levels of government work together on a community project like this ,” he said. “It’s a win/win for everyone.”
Drummond Park pre-school community have already raised $50,000 towards building a new classroom to increase learning space and capacity, particularly for children with disabilities. The upgrade will improve disabled access and more secure parent drop off area, a bathroom to include a disabled shower and change area. The exising classroom will be converted to kitchen and office/interview room and staffroom.
For the busy and successful Iron Man Welders (IMW) program the funding will be used to upgrade the electrics, for repairs and replacement of welders, and repairs to the framework of the skillion roof adjoining the its main workshop on Waterfall Way. IMW works with at risk indigenous and non-indigenous youth and over the last three years has placed 15 in apprenticeships, six in traineeships and 20 in full time work.