MEDIA RELEASE: COUNCIL STRIKES A RUN FOR WILLOW COURT AND COMMUNITY

                              **       DERWENT VALLEY COUNCIL**

MEDIA RELEASE

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Derwent Valley Council is today pleased to announce that it has been successful in two major grant applications to the Australian Government.

“This is fantastic news for our community, a great piece of positive news,” a jubilant Mayor Martyn Evans said.

“Council was notified yesterday that our applications under two streams of the Your Community Heritage Program have been successful.

“This will bring a total of $357,500 in funding to the Derwent Valley, with the majority of the funding going to essential works at Willow Court.

“The funding is dollar for dollar funding, but will not impact on Council’s budget as funds for the Willow Court part of the project will come from the Willow Court reserve, and the remainder of the funding will come from the grants reserve set up by Council specifically for this purpose,” Martyn Evans said.

The Australian Government funding comes through the Your Community Heritage Program under the “Protecting National Historic Sites” and “Sharing Community Heritage Stories” streams.

Willow Court will receive the bulk of the funding with the Australian Government contributing $346,136.36, to be used primarily to connect power to the site which will allow for better security and some initial stabalisation works to be carried out.

The remainder of the funding, $11,363.64, will be used under the “Sharing Community Heritage Stories” stream of the grant to produce interpretative signage, including Indigenous interpretation and podcasts including the stories of the community.

“In combination with Council signing the MOU with the State Government and setting up a new committee to be headed by David Llewellyn this funding will give the Willow Court precinct the kick start it really needs.

“The interpretative signage can also for the first step in bringing our history and natural assets to life for visitors and locals alike.

“This is a great opportunity for Council to work for a positive outcome for our whole community,” said Martyn Evans.

Media Contact:                Martyn Evans, Mayor, phone 0429 167 796