Riverina Red Gum Regional Employment and Community Development Fund grants awarded and project summaries

In the 2010–2011 round the Environmental Trust approved 41 grants, totalling $9,478,607.

Organisation	Project title	Amount $
Balranald Inc.	Community development officer / events manager	210,360
Balranald Organics Pty Ltd	Balranald Organics gypsum product innovation	390,000
Balranald Shire Council	Development of the tourism industry in and around Balranald	980,000
Balranald Tyre Service	Wheel alignment equipment and service	29,000
Barham Hotel	Roof structure over existing outdoor area	35,000
Barham Retail Group	Visitor information maps with points of interest and accommodation	5,000
Barham Riverside Cafe	Upgrade of shop frontage at the Riverside Cafe, Barham	27,000
Berryman, RK	Mathoura Service Station and roadhouse redevelopment	35,000
Chetwynd Park Pty Ltd	Packing shed extension and staff amenities	600,000
CJ & DC Crump	Timber cutters museum and restaurant	580,000
Darlington Point Investments Pty Ltd	Mulching for compost project	350,000
Deniliquin Council	Deniliquin Council industrial subdivision	290,000
Deniliquin Council	Deniliquin Medical Centre	1,000,000
Deniliquin Sports Park Inc.	Deniliquin sports park and gymnastics club expansion	55,000
Emflow Pty Ltd	Emflow increase Australian manufacturing	310,000
Finley Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture Inc.	Finley by the Lake Tourism Information Centre and (authentic) Farmers	50,000
Finley Hospital Auxiliary Inc.	Building maintenance and expansion	61,000
Four Post Youth Camp Inc.	4 Post Edward River adventures	113,844
Gleeson Excavation	Employment of engineer / estimator / project manager	135,000
Intereach NSW Inc.	Deniliquin family centre	550,000
Intereach NSW Inc.	E-Commerce and regional branding for NSW rural business	25,000
Jonesys Dairy Fresh Pty Ltd	Jonesys dairy fresh manufacturing facility	1,000,000
Kilsyth Nominees Pty Ltd	Riverina fencing	12,000
Koondrook - Barham Baptist Church	Trainee pastor project	69,400
Mathers & Sons Transport Pty Ltd	Equipment purchases	280,000
Mathoura Bulk Grain & Fertilisers Pty Ltd	Business expansion and capital investment	204,000
Mid Murray Fire Protection Pty Ltd	Consolidation and expansion of Mid Murray Fire Protection Pty Ltd	800,000
Moulamein Arts & Craft Council	Moulamein Art Gallery and cafe	60,000
Murray Shire Council	A Tribute to Timber - Sculptures of the Long Paddock	103,000
Murray Shire Council	Establishment of the backroads trail	85,000
Murrumbidgee Shire Council	Darlington Point nature trails	25,000
Naponda Hospital Auxiliary	Naponda community store	70,000
NRP Pty Ltd	Biochar production	242,500
Pacdon Food Group Pty Ltd	New factory facility with retail outlet and increased distribution	70,000
Riverlife Property Group Pty Ltd	Winery development	50,000
Sun Valley Australia Pty Ltd	Computerised dehydration system	338,233
Tocumwal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Inc.	Purchase/erection of town entrance signage	41,000
Tocumwal Visitor Information & Technology Centre	Destination visitor survey	17,000
Tocumwal Visitor Information & Technology Centre	Recruitment of employee part time	20,000
Turps Tendercut Butchery	Cryovac meat and smoked speciality	45,000
Wakool (Council of the Shire of)	Maximise tourism potential in Barham	115,270
	41 projects totalling	$9,478,607

Balranald Inc.

Community development officer/events manager – $210,360

To employ one FTE as a Community Development Officer (CDO) to increase local employment and business opportunities by building the community’s resilience and its capacity to diversify. The CDO will coordinate the training programs for employees and businesses focussed in the tourism and mining industries. The CDO will work with the community to develop a business and marketing plan that enhances community capacity building, further develops tourism services and events based on regional cultural and heritage icons. Improves the visitor offer, forms regional partnerships in conjunction with regional tourism organisations and improves marketing based upon the internet.

Balranald Organics Pty Ltd

Balranald Organics gypsum product innovation – $390,000

A locally based, family-operated business, Balranald Organics aims to expand by installing a fine-grinding operation. With a large resource of high purity crystal gypsum secured, Balranald Organics aims to supply agricultural markets in southern and eastern Australia with a water-efficient soil conditioner for application by fertigation. Opportunities also exist to supply the food and manufacturing Industry. This project will create 5 FTE positions in Balranald, thus reducing the economic and social impact of the withdrawal of the red gum timber Industry. This will be achieved by $780,000 of capital infrastructure, with a 50% commitment from the Fund.

Balranald Shire Council

Development of the tourism industry in and around Balranald – $980,000

A mixed tourism initiative that will include the development of a tourism capacity-building and training strategy; the preparation of a tourism marketing and e-tourism plan; the construction of a motor-home and caravan parking area; the construction of a swing bridge across the Murrumbidgee at River Street; an eco-trail forest walk; and streetscape works in Market Street.

Balranald Tyre Service

Wheel-alignment equipment and service – $29,000

To provide Balranald with a wheel-alignment and front-end repair facility. At present all wheel alignments have to be sent to either Swan Hill or Mildura, a 200km and 310km round trip. To have this service in town would eliminate the need to travel out of town for this, as well as provide employment for at least one full-time position.

Barham Hotel

Roof structure over existing outdoor area – $35,000

All-weather shelter over existing outdoor area approximately 18 x 9 metres. This would be steel structure complying with council regulations as it directly fronts the main street of Barham. It must be able to support lights and fans for customer comfort and side weather protection to allow use 12 months a year. Currently we have temporary shelter 2 x 2 metres in outdoor area or patrons are forced onto the street, which is not licensed or acceptable. The structure would also incorporate a child-safe fence between the area and the main street.

Barham Retail Group

Visitor information maps with points of interest and accommodation – $5,000

Produce a town and surrounding area visitor-information map, with points of interest and local business information.

Barham Riverside Cafe

Upgrade of shop frontage at the Riverside Cafe, Barham – $27,000

At present our shop is very dated with an unattractive appearance, spoiling the main street in Barham, hence with a new shop front we aim to increase potential customers and create a place visitors and locals can sit and relax and enjoy themselves in the hub of Barham. With the addition of outdoor seating our customers will enjoy a social gathering and connect with other community members. This is a crucial part of our total shop renovation. Since acquiring the business in April 2010 we have already spent $40,000, and we expect to spend a further $100,000 before the end of 2011.

Berryman, RK

Mathoura Service Station and roadhouse redevelopment – $35,000

The enterprise is located at the gateway to the new national park and at the entrance to the township of Mathoura. The project will redevelop the existing enterprise by providing a tourist and community facility featuring a covered eating area, new toilet facilities and a shaded facility for tourists.

Chetwynd Park Pty Ltd

Packing shed extension and staff amenities – $600,000

Our property is an expanding enterprise and an addition is being made to our existing packing shed. It already houses a comprehensive stone-fruit grader. We require this addition to put in place a complete grader to pack our citrus. This will extend our packing season from early June through to January. This will in future have the potential for full employment of 12 permanent and 15 part-time employees, and the extended orchard program will employ up to an extra 50 casuals. With the property developing to this size there is a need to review our office, which is now home-based.

CJ & DC Crump

Timber cutters’ museum and restaurant – $580,000

The project involves developing a cafe/restaurant combined with a museum to celebrate the contribution the timber industry has made to the region. The museum will display memorabilia of the timber industry and its heritage, timber sculptures and other timber artefacts. Work of local artists, furniture makers, and local produce will be available for purchase. The location of the project is unique, situated on our property at Picnic Point on the banks of the Murray and Edwards River within walking distance to 6 caravan/cabin parks. Phase 2 of the project will include development of walking trails through the property and construction of 5-star accommodation to attract a different clientele.

Darlington Point Investments Pty Ltd

Mulching for compost project – $350,000

To take waste from former sawmill and timber operation sites and process for use in agriculture and composting projects. There is potential for packaging and sale into consumer markets as well for mulch and compost. Mulch and compost benefits water consumption and fertiliser usage for both commercial and consumer agricultural projects.

Deniliquin Council

Deniliquin Council industrial subdivision – $290,000

Commence the first stage of an industrial land subdivision to ensure that suitable land is market ready. The land comprises 1.37 hectares of land facing Saleyards Road, Deniliquin. The land is currently owned by Deniliquin Council and is earmarked for industrial use in the council’s Development Control Plan.

Deniliquin Council

Deniliquin medical centre – $1,000,000

The construction of a purpose-built medical centre on a greenfield site will provide a long-term solution for the effective and sustainable delivery of primary healthcare services to meet the needs of the Deniliquin community and improve resilience by assisting in the retention and attraction of general practitioners and other allied health professionals, providing flow on social and economic benefits to the community and business sector. It is envisaged that the proposed new medical centre would have provision for 8–10 doctors’ rooms, 2–3 practice nurses’ rooms, 2–3 treatment rooms and administration accommodating a fireproof records room. In addition, it would have suitable parking, suitable access for elderly, unwell or incapacitated patients and access for an ambulance.

Deniliquin Sports Park Inc.

Deniliquin sports park and gymnastics club expansion – $55,000

A building extension and employment of a local trainee. This would allow further development of the sports park and gymnastics club and create an additional job opportunity within Deniliquin. The organisation currently caters for residents within the shires of Deniliquin, Conargo, Wakool and Murray.

Emflow Pty Ltd

Emflow increase Australian manufacturing – $310,000

The project involves the augmentation and relocation of Emflow Pty Ltd operations (the sole Australian manufacturer of high-quality industrial valves) into the Riverina Red Gum impacted region. The project comprises innovation, consolidation and expansion components to deliver new and sustained local regional employment, business-sector expansion and community resilience in the Murray Shire. This will occur by: initiating plastic irrigation-valve manufacture in Australia (currently nil domestic manufacture); developing and implementing furnace capacity development for steel-cast valves; and consolidation of manufacturing and administration facilities in Murray Shire.

Finley Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture Inc.

Finley by the Lake tourism information centre and (authentic) farmers’ market – $50,000

A tourism information centre for Finley on the Newell Highway will create business activity and employment and help counteract effects of drought and lack of water. The centre will promote existing attractions: Finley Lake, its events, Finley Museum, heritage-listed railway precinct, RV-friendly town. The Newell and Riverina Highways intersect at Finley, which has no tourism information centre and is not promoted to the many highway travellers. The Centre will also coordinate the farmers’ market. Local producers support an authentic farmers’ market commencing in Finley, initially on a monthly basis. This project will create employment and support sustainability of the community.

Finley Hospital Auxiliary Inc.

Building maintenance and expansion – $61,000

We have managed to retrieve ownership of the building that we operate in from the NSW Health Department. The building is rather small and was constructed in 1898. Its size and age coupled with lack of maintenance from the Health Department means we work in cramped, substandard conditions. Floor replacement in the existing building and provision of extra space for processing and storage of the items we handle would certainly be of great assistance.

Four Post Youth Camp Inc.

Four Post Edward River adventures – $113,844

The project is a self-guided canoe and bike tour activity through Tuppal National Park adjacent to and incorporating the Edward River. The activity emanates from Four Post Camp. The Edward River does not have a mapped Canoe Trail. Year 3 of the project will link operators upstream and downstream via mapping. Data indicates that canoe activity is the most requested water activity by schools, families and diverse tourist groups. To address Stage 3 of the new national school curriculum, Four Post Camp needs to develop environmental adventure activities. This project will support the Crown land recreational program.

Gleeson Excavation

Employment of engineer/estimator/project manager – $135,000

Gleeson Excavations wish to employ a civil engineer to act in the capacity of estimator and project manager. We have been successful tendering on environmental and infrastructure projects in the past; however, with the increased amount of compliance now required, we are unable to realise our full potential. By being in a position to confidently tender and win contracts we could easily triple our output and employ at least another 8 FTE using existing equipment we own already.

Intereach NSW Inc.

Deniliquin family centre – $550,000

The co-location and expansion of Intereach Children and Family Services will provide equitable public access for all community members requiring a broad range of family support services including parenting, childcare and early childhood intervention programs. Long-term sustainability of the centre will be assured through permanent premises immune to tenancy vulnerabilities and rental markets. Increased efficiencies in administration, service delivery and operational costs will be maximised through co-location with the existing Intereach Neighbourhood Centre. Co-location will enable Intereach to more effectively meet the emerging needs of families impacted by industry restructuring who have not accessed support services in the past.

Intereach NSW Inc.

E-Commerce and regional branding for NSW rural business – $25,000

The project is an e-commerce business platform for rurally-based producers and home manufacturers to sell and market their products under the common brand of ‘The Country Store’. The project will support and develop professional skills and product development and reflect the growing demand for online shopping. It will ensure producer markets are not hindered by geographic isolation, allowing for high-volume sales and low-cost business expansion that would otherwise be unattainable. The project is built on 3 years trading as traditional retail shop-front and is supported by a DII NSW-funded business plan.

Jonesy’s Dairy Fresh Pty Ltd

Jonesy’s dairy fresh manufacturing facility – $1,000,000

Set up a dairy manufacturing plant in Barham township in premises we have negotiated to buy from the Shire, using equipment we have already purchased. Manufacture and sell dairy products using our own and local milk. Showcase and sell locally manufactured products from the premises. Expand our existing dairy distribution business and provide sustainable employment for a minimum of 30 people. Secure the services of local tradespeople to modify the building for our purposes. If we can obtain the funding, this can be completed in the next 15 months, and we anticipate employing more people in the following years as the business grows.

Kilsyth Nominees Pty Ltd

Riverina Fencing – $12,000

Riverina Fencing will specialise in all types of rural fencing. Equipped with a modern post-hole driller, we will ensure a professional job.

Koondrook – Barham Baptist Church

Trainee pastor project – $69,400

Barham Baptist Church will provide training for people interested in pursuing a career in rural church ministry. In collaboration with Whitley College, a student and family would live in a church house working while learning. Duration: 2 years. Supervised by, while enhancing the work of, Rev. Geoff Leslie, who has served here for 17 years.

Mathers & Sons Transport Pty Ltd

Equipment purchases – $280,000

As a result of the closure of the local mills we will lose 40% (about $900,000) of our gross income, as there will be no cartage of sawn timber. We would like to purchase a B-double multi-loader trailer to backload general freight from Melbourne and purchase a B-double juice tanker to take the place of lost income. We currently have 13 employees. Without this assistance we have to downsize, selling plant and equipment and making 6 employees redundant. As most live in Barham this would have an impact on the town.

Mathoura Bulk Grain & Fertilisers Pty Ltd

Business expansion and capital investment – $204,000

Expanding business into blending and mixing stock feed with contract to mix and deliver mixes to interstate buyers for the ensuing 12 months and beyond. Expanding business into grain handling and storage for Graincorp for the next 2 years.

Mid Murray Fire Protection Pty Ltd

Consolidation and expansion of Mid Murray Fire Protection Pty Ltd – $800,000

The consolidation and expansion of Mid Murray Fire Protection Services Pty Ltd includes the following key activities:

• -relocation of manufacture and administrative facilities into regional NSW (Murray Shire)
• - establishment of compliance training capacity within regional NSW (Murray Shire)
• - construction of a new manufacturing and administrative facility (building/factory) within regional NSW (Murray Shire).

The total project cost of $2.52 million, with $800,000 of Trust funding, will ensure the establishment of new manufacturing capacity and 20 new jobs in regional NSW within 2 years.

Moulamein Arts & Craft Council

Moulamein Art Gallery and cafe – $60,000

To purchase existing building, upgrade facilities (kitchen and workshop area) which will create employment for part-time volunteers. This vibrant community hub will become a market place for artists both local and regional, a community meeting centre for all age groups, and provide more structured training in hospitality, and other specialised skilled training needs required by the community, which will further develop other employment areas. It will increase long-term tourism potential it has already attracted since its establishment 2 years ago.

Murray Shire Council

A Tribute to Timber – Sculptures of the Long Paddock – $103,000

The Long Paddock–Cobb Highway touring route, in conjunction with the communities of the Murray, Deniliquin and Conargo shires, will engage sculptors to create significant public artworks that interpret and pay tribute to the contribution of the local timber industry to the area. The artworks will be marketed as part of the Long Paddock touring route to attract more visitors to the region.

Murray Shire Council

Establishment of the backroads trail – $85,000

The project involves establishment of the Backroads Trail (BRT), as per the detailed BRT Implementation Plan (completed in 2009). The Trail’s establishment involves the coordinated marketing of over 25 sites of interest within the Backroads region. Some of these sites need to be established (e.g. roadside pullovers and interpretive information), while others already exist. The Trail will promote the area’s rich cultural heritage and natural landscape and enhance opportunities for commercial entities that develop product relating to food, wine and cultural pursuits. The Backroads region is easily accessible from larger, nearby townships (that already attract good visitation from the BRT target market) from which visitors can be drawn.

Murrumbidgee Shire Council

Darlington Point nature trails – $25,000

Create kilometres of nature trails adjacent to Darlington Point to entice travellers to stop and take a break with outcome being an increase in turnover for local business operators.

Naponda Hospital Auxiliary

Naponda community store – $70,000

The Naponda Community Shop provides a market place and market exposure for locally produced cottage-industry goods. This store not only provides a space for locally produced goods to be showcased, it in turn enables these goods to be sold at competitive prices. The district has many quality artisans and craft manufacturers who find the Naponda Community Shop a valuable source of return for their goods.

NRP Pty Ltd

Biochar production – $242,500

NRP is new company created by a young Balranald local to manufacture charcoal. The funds received through the grant will be directly invested into capital investment of plant, machinery and infrastructure, creating 7 FTE jobs in the project, thus reducing the social and financial impact of the withdrawal of the red gum industry to the Balranald Community. This will be achieved by $485,000 dollars of capital infrastructure, with a 50% commitment from the grant.

Pacdon Food Group Pty Ltd

New factory facility with retail outlet and increased distribution – $70,000

Pacdon Food Group is in the process of relocating to a new facility to connect to town utilities and increase access to employees. This in turn will lead to increased production volumes and efficiency allowing us to expand our workforce further and open a shopfront (future cafe/deli) to tap into the tourist market in the area and also increase our distribution areas (including future export).

Riverlife Property Group Pty Ltd

Winery development – $50,000

Creation of an organic tourist winery as an extension of Restdown Wines, using the skills and knowledge of local growers and winemakers. This will create a focal point for the town that will boost local economy by drawing on and extending the tourist trade and show case other local produce. It will create a new experience for existing tourists, extend nearby wine trade and draw new tourists to Barham. It will create employment opportunities in tourism, viticulture, cellar door management, grape harvesting and wine production, with future planned employment in function management.

Sun Valley Australia Pty Ltd

Computerised dehydration system – $338,233

To create a highly efficient computerised dehydration system using fruit and vegetables pastes for the production of Australia’s leading nutritional fruit snacks. The new dehydrator will require plant restructure along with upgrading of toilet and staffing facilities, a conveyor and controlled airflow system within an insulated area, loading and unloading facilities, and a roller cutting system. When in place the new system will double our current capacity, slash our production costs and create a significant environmental impact on energy usage permitting us greater scope for competitiveness in a global market.

Tocumwal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Inc.

Purchase/erection of town entrance signage – $41,000

Purchase/erection of town entrance signs at the 3 roads leading into township.

Tocumwal Visitor Information & Technology Centre

Destination visitor survey – $17,000

To gather and collate information about visitors to our region, to assist in ascertaining what is expected from domestic tourism and what is being offered by the various stakeholders/businesses/ local government authorities within our region.

Tocumwal Visitor Information & Technology Centre

Recruitment of employee part time – $20,000

Employment of part-time employee to provide assistance in the conduct of the operations of the Visitor Information Centre located at Tocumwal.

Turps Tendercut Butchery

Cryovac meat and smoked speciality – $45,000

Purchase of smoke machine and cryovac machine to make my own products and become a lot more financial.

Wakool (Council of the Shire of)

Maximise tourism potential in Barham – $115,270

A project that encompasses infrastructure for tourism in the Barham township area, including signage, bike paths, refuse trailers and picnic tables. The project will encourage tourism by promoting a town that looks welcoming and attractive and will support and encourage community pride in its residents.