Yesterday Dunedoo and the Warrumbungle Shire became the biggest recipients of the $20 million Cobbora Transition Fund, awarded a further $6.3 million to be spread across several projects.

Three Rivers Regional Retirement Community was the biggest winner, collecting more than $4.5 million to help construct about 11 self-care units on the site of Old Dunedoo Hospital.

Speaking at the announcement yesterday, Community committee member Barry Evans said he was thankful that hard work pushing for the development had paid off.

“I was originally a bit pessimistic, we asked for $4.6 million, but when I got the call from Kevin [Humphries] it was great news,” Mr Evans said.

The Member for Barwon and Minister for Western NSW, Mr Humphries said yesterday that he was delighted to see two “extremely valuable” projects in Dunedoo receive funding.

“The Three Rivers Regional Retirement Community will provide an option for older residents of Dunedoo to remain in the area, meeting a local shortfall in aged care accommodation,” he said.

Another major recipient was the Dunedoo Revitalisation Project which secured more than $1.8 million.

The revitalisation project includes improvements to a heavy vehicle parking area ($817,000), an upgrade to Bolaro Street ($390,000), a major upgrade of Robertson Oval and other sporting facilities ($265,000), the creation of an RV parking area ($155,000) and an upgrade to Milling Park ($150,000).

New South Wales Member for Dubbo and chair of the Cobbora Transition Fund, Troy Grant, said the fund’s aim was to drive economic growth and productivity in the region.

“It recognises the impact that land acquisition and other activities associated with the Cobbora Coal Project have had on local communities – and there is no doubt Dunedoo has been impacted,” Mr Grant said.

Other projects to be funded yesterday included an upgrade at Mendooran Showground ($133,455) and to Coolah Recreation Ground ($287,500).

Both state members of parliament said aside from securing funds for these projects one of the hardest battles has been sorting through land aggregation as a result of the Cobbora development. 

Mr Humphries said it was about keeping the agricultural land viable during a time before any mine was constructed which might be years away. 

Warrumbungle Shire councillor, Murray Coe, thanked council staff and community members for their efforts in “trying to get ideas together” as part of the expression of interest process with the Fund.

“Dunedoo will be a different place in the next couple of years,” Mr Coe said.