I rise to mention another example of the small towns development fund in recent times. On Monday, 25 June, I was in Lismore to announce on behalf of Mr John Brumby, the then Treasurer and Minister for Regional and Rural Development in the other place, and now of course the Premier of this great state, a grant of $90 000 for the Lismore township revitalisation project. The Lismore announcement is the 325th project financed under this fund.
Lismore is a popular stop for motorists travelling along the Hamilton Highway. On public holidays and long weekends local service groups coordinate holiday coffee break and rest facilities on the median strip in the town centre.
The project includes improved parking, accessible pathway links to commercial and recreational areas, upgraded public access and public conveniences on the median strip.
People in the Lismore community were ecstatic with the announcement, and they indicated that it will not only provide a pleasant living and commercial environment for the community but it will also enhance local pride and the town’s reputation as an appealing rest stop. I congratulate the Lismore community and the Corangamite shire for their $90 000 contribution to the project. This is another example of the state government and local councils cooperating to create improvements in rural and regional Victoria. I am looking forward to returning to Lismore to see the completed works and the happy faces and to taste the wonderful coffee, which I did as late as last night on my return from Sheepvention.