Projects included upgrades to; Robertson Oval and netball courts, Milling Park, Bolaro Street Jubilee Hall, Dunedoo Bowling Club, Old Bank Building, Dunedoo and Mendooran Tennis Courts  and RV and heavy vehicle parking areas, as well as the new Skate park-playground where Friday’s ceremony was held. 

Warrumbungle Shire Mayor Peter Shinton explained why the officially opening of the upgrades was held at the skate park of all places.

“The reason is that arguably the two most used complexes are the upgraded Dunedoo tennis precinct and the new skate park,” he said.

Dunedoo Central School captains Molly Boyd and Ceara Smith were also on hand to officially open the skate park and said the facility has been welcomed by the local young people.

“There aren’t many times that you drive past the skate park and there isn’t anyone there,” Ceara said.

“Ever since it was built the youth of Dunedoo have had the opportunity to hang out with friends while also keeping active riding their skateboards and scooters.”

Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries said “there were a whole mixture of projects” that he believes will go onto benefit the community and those passing through.

“Dunedoo deserves to have the same facilities that anyone else has access to,” he said.

“A couple of years ago we had a few meetings here in the community, before the Cobbora decision was made, and a number of projects were highlighted.

“We wanted something when the funds became available that were suitable for everybody, whether it was young people which is reflected in the skate park or for seniors in the district who want to stay and be a part of the community.

“Some country towns aren’t going so well and the fact that [Dunedoo] is in a pretty interesting location and a lot of people have to drive through means you’ve got a fantastic stop off point.

“So I think the transition committee have done a fantastic job in highlighting these projects, because there’s something in this for the locals or people that are travelling through.

“The town will benefit, there’s no doubt about that.”

A project still to be provided by the fund will be the Three Rivers Regional Retirement Community, to be located at the Old Hospital site, with open plan living,  two-bedroom units overlooking a landscaped community agriculture garden.

Mr Humphries said that the aged care facility “will be the largest project out of the transition fund”.

Late last month it was announced that farmland purchased for the Cobbora Coal Mine will be sold back for agricultural use.

More than 44,500 hectares of land west of Dunedoo was bought in 2009 and 2010, as part of the former Labor government’s plan to supply cheap coal to the state’s power stations.

The project was slated to create about 550 jobs, but was scrapped in 2013 after the Coalition government decided it was unviable.