TOURISTS TO FLOCK TO LAKE COWAL FOLLOWING $1.2 MILLION BOOST FROM NSW GOVERNMENT

Friday, 20 December 2019 

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has today travelled to Lake Cowal to announce a funding grant of $1.2 million, which will go toward delivering the Inhabitat Lake Cowal Project as part of the NSW Government Regional Growth program.

Ms Cooke said that she is very proud that the NSW Government is helping to fund such an important project, not only for the Bland Shire, but for the future of natural resource management research and education.

“The Lake Cowal Conservation Centre does amazing work in engaging and educating the community in so many important issues from catchment management through to improved land management practices.” Ms Cooke said.

“They are helping to ensure the region is self-sustaining beyond the life of the mine, and providing invaluable natural resource management education for our children.”

The Project has also received a significant contribution of more than $500,000 from the Bland Shire Council together with the Lake Cowal Conservation Centre.

Bland Shire Mayor Brian Monaghan said he is very grateful to the NSW Government for the funding, which he feels will bring a huge boost to the economic development of the region.

“On behalf of the Bland Shire, I would like to say how grateful we are for this funding.” Cr Monaghan said.

“This project will undoubtedly bring more tourism to our area each year, supporting local jobs and helping to grow the local economy.”

Located to the north east of West Wyalong, Lake Cowal currently welcomes around 5,000 visitors each year, from school students, travelling families through to land managers, who participate in education programs run by the Lake Cowal Conservation Centre

Lake Cowal Foundation Projects Manager Malcolm Carnegie said the funding will ensure that the Lake Cowal Conservation Centre (LCCC) will continue to make a difference on the services the Centre offers.

“This funding will make a huge difference to the way the LCCC provides services and initiatives to all our community and environment.” Mr Carnegie said.

“We believe it will be a great asset to Bland Shire and the broader Lachlan Catchment area.”