Council sought grants for the major expansion of both the Molong Early Learning Centre and Cudal Community Children’s Centre under the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

On Tuesday the Government announced Molong had been granted $250,909 and Cudal $247,500.

Council will also be seeking funding for a $105,000 shared mobility access pathway to Mullion Creek Public School and about $140,000 for shared mobility access pathways at Manildra and Cudal.

All NSW Local Government Areas have been allocated a minimum of $1.5 million over two years for projects, worth at least $100,000, to make their areas more attractive places to live and work.

In Cabonne’s case, the allocation is a little over $1.6 million, with $816,000 available for the current round of funding.

The two preschool projects met the key criteria of being “shovel ready” and aligning with the State Government’s priorities and programs and council’s community strategic plan. They also had overwhelming community support when placed on exhibition for public comment.

While organisations do not have to providing a matching contribution, co-contributions are likely to enhance the success of the funding applications and both preschools will be making substantial contributions to their expansion projects.

Proposals which did not receive priority this time may be reconsidered for the next round.

COMMUNITIES will be consulted and a brand recognition study conducted before council considers any re-branding strategy which would involve replacing Cabonne’s widely-known food basket logo.

Although Cabonne has had its current brand for many years, councillors believe there is little need to replace it unless there is strong community sentiment to do so.

Designing a new brand would probably cost about $20,000, but the ultimate cost of replacing signage, stationery and other materials could exceed $1 million.

That’s money council believes could be much better spent elsewhere if there is no overwhelming need to introduce a new brand and logo.

AUSTRALIA Day celebrations will be held throughout Cabonne next year and preparations are well under way, with nominations closing this week for 2018 Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Group of the Year awards in various towns and villages.

Our Australia Day ambassador and official party will attend celebrations at Borenore, Cudal, Manildra and Yeoval, while council representatives will also attend award presentations at Canowindra, Cargo, Cumnock, Eugowra, Molong and Mullion Creek.

The NSW Australia Day Council is expected to announce Australia Day ambassadors for 2018 early next month.

NINE community projects valued at almost $32,000 will receive funding under the first round of Cabonne Council’s 2017-18 Community Assistance Program.

At its most recent meeting, council allocated funding for the following projects:

A second round of CAP funding will open early in 2018 to provide further funding for projects on non-commercial facilities or properties, which provide ongoing benefits to our Cabonne communities.

Grants are allocated on a 50-50 basis, but communities can provide their half of the funding though voluntary labour or in-kind contributions.

The next round will be notified through your local community newspapers and on council’s website and Facebook page.

Council has also provided a further $2,500 to community events under its 2017-18 Events Assistance Program, allocating $2,000 to the Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival in February next year and $500 to the Canowindra Domestic Violence Committee for its White Ribbon Day March on November 24.

So far this year, council has allocated $32,000 to help local groups promote community events which attract visitors and tourism dollars to our towns and villages.

HOPEFULLY, Yeoval residents will receive a part-day local public holiday for the village’s annual show next year.

After canvassing the Yeoval community, council has lodged a formal application with the Minister for Industrial Relations Dominic Perrottet for a part-day holiday from 8.30am to 7pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

The part-day public holiday, which has been granted for the past four years, does not have the same impact on businesses which may have to pay employees extended penalty rates.

IT was a great honour to open the new Cudal fire shed on October 28.

These fire sheds are among the most important community facilities council provides, in conjunction with the NSW Rural Fire Service.

With a worrying fire season predicted this summer, this new building is a fantastic resource for volunteer firefighters in the Cudal district and could be crucial to protecting lives and property in the area.​