Cessnock City Council will submit expressions of interests for two projects under the latest round of the NSW Government’s Restart NSW – Resources for Regions program.
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Council will seek funding for the first stage of the Kurri Kurri central business district upgrade and the Branxton-Greta Memorial Cycleway project from the program, which aims to deliver improved local infrastructure in mining-affected communities.
Council will also request an exemption of the required co-contribution of 25 percent for this year’s program, seeking to reduce the amount to 12.5 percent.
The Resources for Regions program was established in 2011 to address infrastructure constraints in mining-related communities in regional NSW, Newcastle and Wollongong.
Cessnock City Council was deemed eligible for the program in 2014, and the following year was part of a successful joint application with Singleton Council for the $16.7 million upgrade of Hermitage and Broke Roads (including a cycleway).
The council was also a winner under last year’s funding round, receiving $3.5 million towards the second and third stages of its Cessnock CBD Revitalisation Masterplan.
This year will be the third time the council has applied for Resources for Regions funding for the Branxton-Greta cycleway, after being knocked back in 2014 and 2017.
The 4.5-kilometre cycleway will serve as a tribute to World War I servicemen from the twin towns, with Lone Pine trees, brass plaques and reflection points along the way.
The project committee has invited Prince Harry to Branxton to turn the first sod of the cycleway in October, when he will be in Australia for the Invictus Games.