Children in south Moree will soon be able to run around and play on the grass at Cooee Park without risk of being covered in burrs, thanks to a $10,000 state government grant.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The funding, announced by Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall during a recent visit to Moree, will go to Moree Plains Shire Council to top dress the park and re-seed it with grass to make it a safe and enjoyable place for the community to get together and have some fun.
Mr Marshall said this funding will turn a burr-infested space into a playable play space for residents and neighbours of the south side of town.
“This $10,000 state government grant is for council and residents of south Moree to continue the great work they’re doing upgrading the park,” he said.
“It’s so impressive to see the local community take ownership; it’s their park, their place.
“It’s brought so many people together. I reckon this is what community spirit is all about and I’m delighted council has come on board to help out and assist the community rebuild its local pride.
“This is $10,000 but through the hard work of the community, they’ll turn that into $40,000 or $50,000 worth of value. You can’t put a price tag on the feeling of community spirit.”
READ MORE:
Recently, a number of south Moree residents and Friends of Cooee Park members undertook a 10-week horticulture course through TAFE.
They have been busy planting trees and spend a great deal of time watering and caring for them. They will also help in the work to level the soil, seed it heavily and replace the top soil, to get a good grass cover happening.
“The whole community is involved, all of south Moree,” Friends of Cooee Park member Wendy Craigie said.
“We come once a week, every Tuesday, and make sure the plants are watered, we weed, and if anything looks like it’s dying we replace the plants.
“It’s really lifted people here. We love this park.
“This is our place, our park. We have to have a meeting place. We have to have a gathering place here. This is where we’ll hold all our functions. Everything that happens in south Moree will happen at Cooee Park.”
The residents will be holding a Christmas party in the park on December 11 for all of south Moree and have plenty of plans to keep improving the space into the future.
“In the future we want more trees for shade, more barbecues,” Ms Craigie said.
“We need a fireplace where we can sit and gather. This is going to be our healing place. We need to have this for our children.”
Mr Marshall said the latest funding would build on a $50,000 grant he announced two years ago, which allowed for fencing, cement seating, barbecue facilities and a water tap to be installed in the park.
“The development of Cooee is part of the council strategy to reinvigorate south Moree and I’m a keen supporter of that concept,” Mr Marshall said.
“I’m pleased to see that the community group Friends of Cooee Park has been so active and inspirational, not just in coming up with ideas, but also in getting their hands dirty too.”
Ms Craigie thanked the state government and Mr Marshall for “making this all worthwhile”.
“It’s great, we’re really proud,” she said.
