RCoW Performing Arts Centre gets Federal funding

Sophie Mirabella, the Federal Member for Indi, today announced that the Howard Government has approved funding of $550,000 (GST inclusive) under the Regional Partnerships programme for the upgrade of Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre.

Mrs Mirabella said the money will assist Wangaratta Council to complete the project to upgrade Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre to attract excellent performers to the region. The Howard Government funding will be used towards labour and materials to construct a flat floor general purpose area in the proposed new centre.

“Although the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre will have proceeded regardless of this new funding, this grant will provide for the flat floor general purpose area,” Mrs Mirabella said.

Mrs Mirabella said the Regional Partnerships programme would deliver benefits to communities well into the future, not only from programme funding, but from the higher levels of economic activity and improved social amenity which the programme was generating.

Since its inception in July 2003, the Regional Partnerships programme has, on average, attracted a further three dollars from other sources for every dollar invested by the Howard Government.

“The Howard Government has now invested well over $7million on sustainable local projects to benefit North-East communities from the Regional Partnerships programme alone,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“This new funding is in addition to $742,500 which the Howard Government will contribute towards upgrading the Wangaratta HP Barr Community Centre at West Wangaratta. It is disappointing that the State Labor Government refuses to support that project,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“The new centre will help create a hub in West Wangaratta for social, sporting and community-based groups, and contribute to the sporting facilities already in place,” Ms Mirabella said.