The Morrison Government is continuing to support drought-affected communities in Barker with two projects awarded funding through the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s Tackling Tough Times Together initiative.

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the Tackling Tough Times Together program has a range of benefits, including keeping money flowing through shops and suppliers, boosting local tourism and creating jobs for drought-hit communities.

“In Barker projects to be funded under this latest round of grants include $23,229 for the installation of a Mallee Mums and Bubs community playground in Lameroo as well as the $40,175 for Karoonda East Murray Communities, such as Sandalwood Recreation Association to deliver community infrastructure upgrades,” Mr Pasin said.

“This funding will enhance community cohesion and inclusion for the Lameroo community at the Sports Club with a new playground, while in the Karoonda area the funding will help bring together community groups and volunteers from across the District to improve important facilities through a series of ‘community working bee’s’ across the region,” Mr Pasin said.

“This is a shot in the arm for these communities who really have been tackling the tough times” Mr Pasin said.

Emma Needs from Mallee Mums and Bubs welcomed the announcement.

”We are absolutely delighted to be awarded funding for the Mallee Mums & Bubs community playground, a much needed improvement for the facility”

”It’s a great thing to be able to offer to the community not only the children but the adults,” said Ms Needs.

  1. Anne Boughen from Sandalwood Recreation Association said part of the funding would contribute to upgrades to the Sandalwood Hall.

The Morrison Government is providing a total of $15 million to the Tackling Tough Times Together initiative, which is also supported by philanthropy and business.

  • The latest round of funding will be delivered across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
  • The majority of projects funded in this round seek to reduce volunteer fatigue and boost the operations of local not-for-profit organisations in drought communities.

The Federal Government is backing drought-affected communities by providing more than $8 billion in drought assistance and concessional loans to support those experiencing hardship.

Projects supported through Tackling Tough Times Together help rural communities cope with the stress of the drought on families and businesses.

More information on the Tackling Tough Times Together program and the latest round of recipients can be found at https://www.frrr.org.au/grants/TTTTor by visiting https://www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/.