The Central West Aboriginal community at Peak Hill is celebrating the completion of $330,000 in infrastructure upgrades to support social, economic and employment benefits for the area.
Minister for Planning and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Anthony Roberts said upgrades have been undertaken under the NSW Government’s Roads to ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ program to lay new foundations for advancement in the community.
“Roads to ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ is a true grassroots program that works alongside Aboriginal communities to improve quality of life and economic opportunities by installing vital infrastructure,” Mr Roberts said.
“Roads to ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ upgrades have been undertaken in Whitton Road at Peak Hill, overseen by Peak Hill Aboriginal Land Council, including footpath repairs, road widening, curb and guttering, removal of asbestos, and electrical infrastructure work.
“Investment in better infrastructure helps provide better access for services like rubbish collection, mail deliveries, and community transport, while generating employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal people.”
A cultural smoking ceremony and community celebration marked the completion of work
Peak Hill Local Aboriginal Land Council community liaison officer Kerri Cohen said the community event on 24 January will celebrate completion of work which provided employment for four local Aboriginal residents and TAFE training for 15.
“We have been blessed with the opportunity the Roads to ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ program has provided our community, which is excited about more housing eventually coming here through subdivided lots. Beautification work will follow later with planting of trees and lawns.
“Separately, other recent improvements in Whitton Road have included NBN cabling, water meters, and extra street lights and poles,” Ms Cohen said.
To date, the NSW Government has committed $141 million to upgrade 34 Aboriginal communities under Roads to ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾, which has employed 21 Aboriginal Community
