COUNCIL ASSIGNS $824,398 OF FEDERAL FUNDING TO PROJECTS

Copper Coast Council has applied for the $824,398 of funding received from the “Federal Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program – Phase 3” to be distributed across the following projects:

• Wallaroo to Moonta Cycling and Walking Trail ($104,398)
• Kadina Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS) Effluent Lagoons ($180,000)
• Provision of lighting for the Art Gallery at the Ascot Theatre ($15,000)
• Rural Roads resheeting/maintenance ($400,000)
• Provision of silo art – Paskeville ($65,000)
• Statewide Cinema - Kadina and Moonta ($60,000)

The first 7.5 kilometres of the Wallaroo to Moonta Cycling and Walking Trail has already been funded under the State Open Space Program for 2021/22 ($418,000), with Council contributing $532,000 plus an additional $75,000 for Project Management (total $607,000).

Mayor Roslyn Talbot said the additional $104,398 of funds allocated is one of many steps already in motion towards securing funding for remainder of the path—estimated at 14.9 kilometres in total.

“Our Council has been proactive by taking a shovel-ready approach with a lot of our projects,” Mayor Talbot said.

“By having plans already in place, this allows us to swiftly apply for funding when the right grants come around.

“Estimations have already concluded the current funding secured will cover more than 7.5 kilometres of the path, and we have also recently secured $187,800 from Bike SA with Council contributing a further $212,200, plus an additional $75,000 for Project Management (total $287,200).

“This is another way of connecting the Peninsula's three largest urban centres of Kadina, Moonta and Wallaroo, and giving residents and tourists a recreational way to physically explore the towns that form the Copper Triangle.”

The $400,000 allocated to the rural roads resheeting/maintenance will be a big benefit once the condition and priority assessment of the Copper Coast roads is completed in August 2021.

“We listen to our residents and we know one of the most important issues is our roads on the Copper Coast,” Mayor Talbot said.

“Family and friends rely on our roads to safely get them to work, school and their community activities—these roads help connect all our towns.”

Council is pleased to assist the Copper Coast Art Group with $15,000 for lighting at the Ascot Theatre’s Art Gallery.

“This has been long overdue, with volunteers having to use lamps to illuminate some of their artwork,” Mayor Talbot said.

“We agree with Copper Coast Art Group that this lighting set-up is inadequate and a lighting upgrade is required for visitors to view the art pieces in their full beauty.”

Paskeville will be receiving their own beautiful art piece with $65,000 allocated to help the Paskeville Progress Association produce a silo art on the Viterra Silo.

“We can see this newest instalment of art adding to the Copper Coast Art Trail,” Mayor Talbot said.

“Visitors can start their day driving to the region and exhibiting an eye-catching mural at Paskeville—the entrance of the Copper Coast.

“After following the rest of the art trail across the Copper Coast, they’ll finish their day with the Wallaroo Silo Light Show illuminating the night.”

Council has set aside $60,000 as an option to keep the cinemas in Moonta and Kadina running via community operation.

“Carol Burford and her family have provided a great service to the Copper Coast in keeping the cinema alive in our region for many years now,” Mayor Talbot said.

“The Burford family have been looking to sell their business and while we hope they can find someone to take over, we want to be prepared in case that doesn’t happen.

“The cinemas are a great family activity and we want to make sure the Copper Coast continues to build on the amount of facilities we have, not lose them.”

Kadina CWMS Effluent Lagoons has also received $180,000 of funding for continued upgrades as part of the Environmental Improvement Program.

“The South Australian Environment Protection Authority amended the licence conditions for our Lagoons in December 2018, which was the requirement of an Environmental Improvement Program,” Mayor Talbot said.

“Since then, we’ve been working with the EPA to ensure we are compliant and working to tick off all the requirements within that program.

“This has been a lot of work as we continue to regularly monitor and review the impact of proposed and completed works.”