A long-awaited project that was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to be completed thanks to funding from the NSW Government.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has announced that $26,602 has been allocated to the Australian Rural Education Centre (AREC) in Mudgee to put a roof on its rammed earth display building.
The complex showcases alternative and sustainable building techniques, and Mr Saunders said it will be a wonderful educational tool for the region.
“More and more we’re seeing businesses finding different ways to do things, and AREC is at the forefront of that with its rammed earth display building,” he said.
“At the moment all it is a display building, but they have plans to turn it into a community space and to do that it needs a roof so I was happy to help secure the funding for it through the Community Building Partnerships program.”
AREC is a self-funded not-for-profit organisation that coordinates the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days each year, and general manager Cassandra Stanford said the original plan was to have the roof installed prior to the 2020 event.
“COVID put an end to the field days and we couldn’t really justify spending the money because we didn’t have that income source,” she said.
“This grant is amazing for us because it will allow us to not only finish what has been a long-term project, but also open it up to groups that want to use the space, and educate people about the innovative and sustainable options that are out there.”
Work is expected to be commence early in the New Year and be completed in time for the 2021 field days, which are scheduled for July 9/10.