The Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, yesterday announced that Bellingen Shire Council’s application for a $655,000 grant from the Regional Growth Environment and Tourism Fund had been successful.

Council will also contribute $218,000, bringing the total available to $873,000.

Dangar Falls is 2km from Dorrigo and the reserve is widely used for picnicking, swimming, fishing, bushwalking, bird watching, photography and general relaxation.

Two new viewing platforms offering different perspectives of the river, the falls and the plunge pool will be installed, existing pathways will be expanded, the car park will be upgraded and interpretive signage and a shelter will be installed.

“I congratulate Bellingen Shire Council on this funding win and look forward to seeing the project complement Dorrigo’s reputation as a fantastic place to live and visit,” Mrs Pavey said.

In 2018, Bellingen Shire Council had an 87 per cent success rate in its applications for state and federal grants.

At January’s council meeting, the Grants and Business Development Officer noted that the shire had received $6 million in grant funding for the previous calendar year.

With council co-contributions of $1.1 million and partner contributions of $760,000, this enables $8 million of infrastructure programs.

Grant funded (part or full) infrastructure projects include: 

 Urunga Library Project (meeting room)

 Bellingen Memorial Hall Redevelopment

 Stronger Country Communities funded projects:

 Recapturing the Heritage of the Bellingen Memorial Hall (upstairs refurbishment)

 Urunga Library Redesign Project

 Deep Creek Bridge Replacement Project

 Thora Hall Painting Project (2 x grants – CBPP and PRMF)