The ‘Big Shed’ at the Nymboida Camping and Canoeing Centre Nymboida is set for a major upgrade providing a major piece of disaster recovery infrastructure for the local community, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis announced with locals on site Monday morning.

“When I brought Deputy NSW Premier and Nationals Leader John Barilaro to Nymboida a few months back, we were both hugely impressed with how the local community had used the Big Shed at the Canoe Centre during the fires that destroyed 100 local homes,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“But the infrastructure had its shortcomings and that is why we are investing $200,000 to upgrade it.

“The Nymboida community had its heart ripped out by the bushfires and I hope this sees the start of the rebirth of this close-knit community.”

The upgrade will provide a disaster ready, stand-alone multi-use community facility with a commercial kitchen, independent power, clean water source and emergency communication.

The Big Shed is part of Nymboida Camping and Canoeing (NC&C), a not for profit organisation run by members to benefit the Nymboida Community.

NC&C Director Dave Stephenson said the project would help the people of Nymboida reconnect as a community in the safe, positive, shared space of NC&C.

“I personally feel immense pride in how our community came together during this time and worked in adverse conditions,” Mr Stephenson said.

“The upgrade of the Big Shed will ensure that in case of future emergency situations, we will be able to provide this assistance much easier while maintaining a better quality of health and safety standards.”

The funding will be provided under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants Program, made possible by the Clubgrants Category 3 Fund which reinvests a contribution from the

state’s registered clubs gaming machine profits back into community projects.