I am pleased to announce Regional Partnerships program funding of $264,000 to upgrade and expand the Karuah Community Hub and its facilities.
The money will assist Port Stephens Council to renovate the existing hall for multi-purpose use, and also to construct a new building to expand the current pre-school.
This project will address community needs by providing facilities for numerous community groups and also access to a range of outreach health services such as breast cancer screening, drug and alcohol support, immunisation, parenting classes and speech pathology.
The hall will be extending its access from three to five days a week for use by the community including the local pre-school, which will also be expanded to provide additional capacity.
I congratulate the local community for working together to access Regional Partnerships program funding and particularly thank the Hunter Area Consultative Committee for helping to bring this project to fruition.
I would also like to acknowledge the financial support provided by NSW Dept Community Services, Karuah Preschool and Karuah 335B Hall Committee.
The Regional Partnerships program continues the Australian Government's approach of working with local communities to support their ideas, to generate economic activity and improved social amenity.