Member for Northern Victoria Region, Candy Broad today opened the new Gaffney’s Creek Community Centre.
Ms Broad said the new centre - to which the Brumby Labor Government contributed $85,000 through the Small Towns Development Fund - would provide essential community infrastructure for Gaffney’s Creek and enhance its liveability.
“The 2006/07 bushfires in the Mansfield area saw Gaffney’s Creek threatened by fire on a number of occasions,” Ms Broad said.
“The community facility at that time was used extensively for community information sessions, community gatherings and as a hub of activity for local fire fighters.
“The bushfires highlighted the importance of the local halls as a meeting place, refuge, emergency operations centre, catering facility and the social heart of isolated rural communities.
“The former facility, which served as a community meeting place, was very primitive and did not have the amenities (such as toilet, septic tank and functioning kitchen) that would be considered “standard” in most community facilities.”
The project to build a new community facility at Gaffney’s Creek involved constructing a 12x15-metre colourbond structure incorporating a kitchen, meeting room, toilet, fire trailer and equipment storage area and an outside undercover area as well as the installation of a water tank, septic system and wood heater.
Ms Broad said the new centre would enable the expansion of the range of community and private activities which can now be held in the local area and which strengthen the community and contribute to the creation of a connected and inclusive community.
“The new centre will provide a venue for holding fund raising events to support the operation of local community organisations and create a safe and accessible venue for various emergency management functions,” Ms Broad said.
Ms Broad said funding from the Small Towns Development Fund for the $108,000 Gaffney’s Creek Community Centre project was provided to Mansfield Shire Council, which provided $15,000 along with $5000 from the Gaffney’s Creek Progress Association and $3000 in-kind.
“This project typifies initiatives supported by the Small Towns Development Fund, which are making a big difference to towns in provincial Victoria,” Ms Broad said.
“The Small Towns Development Fund is helping Victoria’s smaller towns create jobs, drive economic growth and improve community infrastructure.
“So far, the fund has provided $50.7 million toward 484 community and social infrastructure projects worth more than $105 million right across provincial Victoria.”