Federal funding boosts Brown Street plans

Published on 04 July 2019

Plans to carry out major road construction along Brown Street have received a boost thanks to a funding injection from the Federal Government.

In August 2018 the Government announced it would extend its Drought Communities Programme and provide $1 million for major works in each drought-affected community in the Parkes electorate.

Council immediately moved to secure $750,000 from the funding pool to assist with the construction of a road along the currently unsealed Brown Street.

Council soon realised it had little chance of completing the works within funding timeframes however, and entered into negotiations with the Government on how the funding could be utilised elsewhere in the community.

Mayor Darriea Turley AM said the Government was very accommodating and ensured the full $1 million was utilised in Broken Hill.

"Projects funded under the programme had to be completed by July 1, 2019, and it didn't take us long to realise we had no realistic chance of completing a major project like Brown Street in that time," said Mayor Darriea Turley.

"To the Government's credit they were happy to fund the design costs for Brown Street, then work with us to put the remainder of the money toward costs associated with the Oxide Street reconstruction.

"Their level of engagement and consultation was really impressive; they were genuinely committed to ensuring this money stayed in Broken Hill, and we certainly appreciated that."

Council's Chief Financial Officer, Jay Nankivell, said the funding injection would allow Council to review the budget and utilise unspent funds from the Oxide Street project to complete Brown Street.

"The Brown Street works were not included in the 2019/20 budget as it was compiled while these negotiations were taking place," he said.

"We still have to ascertain final construction costs for Brown Street, however once we have that figure we'll look to add it into the 2019/20 budget during our quarterly review process."