New approach to Village Enhancement funding

Over 15 years ago the then Cabonne Council established a “Village Enhancement Program” , backed up with some $4m in funds reserved to beautify and add minor infrastructure improvements to our towns.

Things like new park facilities, seating, the hedged rose gardens in Molong’s Bank Street, started to spring up in Cabonne. It could take a little time with consulting – and getting agreement on what improvements were worthwhile took longer.

The Village Enhancement Fund is still around. But Council has decided to promote a sense of community support and ownership and provide annual funding to Council’s peak community organisations (organisations recognised at the beginning of each Council’s term when appointing council committees and delegates).

Peak community organisations will have an annual budget allocation which will allow them to develop village community plans and project priorities. Funds will be available by application to council. The funds may be used on council assets or for public good, supported by the local communities concerned. The allocations will be made and apportioned based on rateable properties identified in the relevant peak community organisations area. Unspent funds may be retained in reserve for use by the relevant community over more than one financial year. A Village Enhancement Fund Policy will soon be placed on public exhibition for comment.

Council in its 2021/2022 budget has committed an amount of $84,000 as follows:
Molong Advancement Group: $19,530
Canowindra Business Chamber and Progress Association: $19,530
Eugowra Promotion and Progress Association: $6,720
Manildra and District Improvement Association: $6,720
Cudal Central: $5,040
Cargo Progress Association: $5,040
Cumnock and District Progress Association: $5,040
Yeoval and District: Progress Association: $5,040
Mullion Creekand District Progress Association :$5,040
Borenore Community Progress Association: $2,100
Nashdale Consultative: $2,100
Spring Terrace Committee: $2,100