Almost $140,000 will be invested in preserving a number of important public reserves and community hubs in the Clarence and Richmond valleys, Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis announced last week. Mr Gulaptis said the funding will be provided under the NSW Government’s Public Reserves Management Fund Program, which is part of an $18 million annual program of grants and loans from the NSW Government to support the development, maintenance and protection of the public reserves. “Public reserves in our region such as sportsgrounds, showgrounds, community halls, walking tracks and local parks are valued places which are used by our local community every day,” Mr Gulaptis said. “This funding is not only vital to the success of our regional communities, but also supports the role our professional and volunteer managers play in the ongoing management of the reserves. “This funding will allow our local managers to now implement the improvements required to ensure these important places can continue to be enjoyed by our local community now and into the future.” Following are details of funding provided under the Fund in the Clarence Electorate: Brooms Head Caravan Park – Upgrade of playground ($47,900); Diggers Headland Reserve – Control of priority noxious & environmental weeds ($33,000); Dirawong Reserve – Operational funding ($11,698); Bentley Public Hall – Upgrade & renovation of toilets – ($10,334); Maclean Rainforest Reserve – Second year of strategic control of vines, scramblers & other weeds to protect the endangered subtropical lowland rainforest remnant ($10,000); Dirawong Reserve – Removal of secondary growth of high priority invasive weeds, especially bitiou bush & glory lily ($10,000); Riley’s Hill Dry Dock – Repairs to fascia, termite inspection & painting of heritage structures ($5,175); Seelands School of Arts – Upgrade to electrical circuitry, switches & lighting ($3,529); Copmanhurst War Memorial Hall – Upgrade to electricity switchboard – ($3,090); Ellangowan Public Hall – Repairs to hall & painting works ($3,000); Eatonsville Public School – Purchase of decking oil to preserve unsealed timber verandas & repairs to front steps -$1,500. For more information on the program, please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au