The grant was awarded to the council under the NSW Government’s Sustainable Communities Program in September.
In line with the Murray-Darling Basin Plan’s commitment to helping communities affected by water buybacks, the funding aimed to support shovel-ready projects that would generate local jobs and tourism.
While multiple projects throughout the shire were put forth for consideration, only the Moama CBD Entry Redevelopment Project was deemed viable under the grant requirements.
During council’s October meeting, councillors raised concerns about the funding allocation, noting that communities in the Wakool ward relied more heavily on irrigated agriculture and were therefore more vulnerable to the impacts of water buybacks.
At the October meeting, Greater Wakool Ward councillor Dennis Gleeson said the funding should support communities most impacted by the buybacks.
“I think we got this really wrong from day one ... it clearly stated what the money was for — it was for communities that were most affected by water buybacks,” he said.
“We all know that the Wakool area ... lost 51 per cent of its water. I think we need to look at a project out there because they’re the most affected areas.”
Following the October meeting, council postponed acceptance of the grant to explore whether the funding could be reallocated to a project within the Greater Wakool Ward.
Upon contacting the funding body to discuss its options, council was told the grant could not be reallocated.
The lack of any shovel-ready projects in the Wakool area that met the program’s criteria further ruled out reallocation.
At its most recent meeting, council again debated whether to accept or decline the grant.
Greater Wakool Ward councillor Gary Pappin said he could not accept the funding with a clear conscience.
“In all good conscience, I can’t agree to the acceptance of the money. I would much prefer to see the money returned back to the state government coffers,” he said.
“The reason behind that is ... the locations where this money was most desperately required and should have been allocated to, didn’t receive a cent.”
When the motion was put to a vote, all councillors bar John Harvie and Neil Gorey voted against the acceptance of the funding.
In preparation for future funding rounds, council staff have begun work to identify suitable projects within the Greater Wakool Ward and Greater Murray Ward.
Council’s economic development team is also supporting local community groups and stakeholders with applications for funding when the new round opens.
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