“Our community has been calling out for upgrades to local facilities and I’m thrilled these can now begin,” Melinda Pavey said.

This latest announcement caps off a successful year of grant applications by the Nambucca Shire Council and grants officer Teresa Boorer.

The money granted to Nambucca Shire Council under the Stronger Country Communities Fund—a total of $844,000—will be used to upgrade Coronation Park in Nambucca Heads, Bowraville Connections, and Macksville Park.

Grant Funds: $500,000 (80 percent of project cost); Council commitment to project (including in-kind): $126,950

There will be a full upgrade of the lighting to a state-of-the-art "turnkey system" which will allow managers of the facilities to turn the lights off and on remotely.

There will also be upgrades to all electrical poles and boxes and a switch to green energy to light the fields and skate park that form Coronation Park.

“It’s great it’s finally happening,” Coronation Park Trust president Trevor Keast said.

“We’ve been trying to get this done for 10 years now.”

Grant funds: $130,950 (65 percent of project cost); Council commitment to project (including in-kind): $74,400

This project is part of the larger Bowraville Connections project - a community recreation and sports precinct that encompasses Hennessey Tape Oval.

This project will establish a family barbecue area and upgrade the existing amenities block to include a disabled toilet that will be accessible to the public at all times.

This project will also construct a shared pathway that connects the barbecue area to the amenities block.

Grant funds: $213,050 (75 percent of project cost); Council commitment to project (including in-kind): $71,000

This project will oversee the upgrade and installation of new lighting facilities to Macksville Park, specifically over the rugby league field.

The clubhouse on the Alan Gillett Oval will get a look-in too, with a full kitchen renovation and replacement security fencing scheduled.