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NO one can deny that the Lithgow CBD is looking a little dated and it’s no secret that Lithgow Council has been working for some time on a mid city revitalisation plan.
Proposals have been a long time in the melting pot but this week the grand plan received a major boost with the announcement that council has been successful in its bid for inclusion in this year’s National Stronger Region’s Fund.
Member for Calare John Cobb met with council yesterday afternoon to confirm details of an allocation of $1.3 million towards the urban renewal project.
Lithgow was one of only two local government areas in the Calare electorate to receive funding under the Australian Government grants scheme.
The grant means that Lithgow Council now has around $3 million in its revitalisation fund.
The other is Bathurst Council who will receive $2.5 million for upgrades to the city’s airport at Raglan.
Lithgow Council has been developing concepts for the Main Street program for some time and has been putting money aside in recent budgets for the work.
The council also appointed the same consultants who came up with a master plan for The Foundations redevelopment of the old Portland cement works site.
Chairman of regional development Australia for the Central West, Alan McCormack, said the Lithgow and Bathurst approvals were significant for the entire region.
He said it had been an extremely competitive process with 111 projects approved nation wide from 513 applications.
Mr McCormack said the local projects would deliver economic benefits across the region.
“Lithgow Council’s restructure project is aimed at renewing the city for the 21st century, providing an attractive destination for residents looking for affordable housing and a great lifestyle,” he said.
Mr McCormack said the aim of his organisation was to assist local and regional groups with their applications through the National Stronger Regions Fund.
“We want to see projects across the region considered for infrastructure prioritisation and potential funding which will drive economic development and encourage innovation,” he said.
The government has provided a billion dollars for such priority infrastructure projects over the next five years.
FOOTNOTE: Council will next week open an office in Main Street to allow public comment and suggestions on its urban renewal plan.