Funding to Support Economic Development in Moree and Wee Waa

Moree Plains Shire Council, Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre and Narrabri and District Chamber of Commerce have been successful in receiving a total of $1.34 million to benefit the Moree and Wee Waa communities through the Murray-Darling Basin Economic Development Program.

Moree Plains Shire Council will receive $515,468 for their Smart Region Business Incubator and Co-working space. The incubator, known as ‘The Greenhouse’ will help new businesses and to upscale existing business to entice investment.

“This co-working space will not only be available to local and visiting workers; it will also include the delivery of the well-established business incubator program from University of New England,” said Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton. “The incubator will be based in the main street to encourage local spending in cafes and retail stores to also contribute to the local economy.”

Wee Waa Community Arts and Cultural Centre will receive $382,197 to convert an existing building into an arts and cultural gallery space supported by a part-time project manager for three years.

$450,000 of funding will be provided for the Yarrie Lake Water Security Project under the program to make this proposal a reality for Wee Waa. We had the pleasure of working with the consortium between Collins Park Lighting Group, Wee Waa Chamber of Commerce, Narrabri Chamber of Commerce and community stakeholders who brought RDANI to the table with a proposal that formed into this project.

Yarrie Lake is an important recreational facility for local Wee Waa residents and visitors to the region and the only significant water-based recreational lake within a 200km radius of Wee Waa. It is situated within the Narrabri Local Government Area and provides activities including water sports, camping, bird watching, yabbying and mountain bike riding. However, the lake often dries out.

This project will provide bore water to the lake, and a solar system with battery storage to the associated camping facilities and bore pump at a total cost of $525,000. It will greatly improve the amenity value of the location and significantly increase visitor expenditure in the Wee Waa economy.