Mount Vincent waste transfer facility misses out on federal funding

Council applied for the grant in March, as part of the National Stronger Regions program.

The fund is designed to help deliver infrastructure projects that economically benefit communities and/or address disadvantage.

But Maitland Council’s application was not included on the list of 67 projects awarded a total of $126 million.

It leaves a $5 million hole in the $17 million project, which was planned with the knowledge that the tip at Mount Vincent Waste Management Centre was nearing capacity.

The list of successful applications included grants for a rail museum at Bathurst, the expansion of Bendigo Tennis Centre and the construction of a new Ronald McDonald House at Westmead.

Maitland Mayor Cr Peter Blackmore said the failed application meant the recycling and waste transfer project would “put back a bit”.

“As far as we know, there was no reason given for us missing out,” he said.

“Naturally, we thought we complied and had a very good chance of [getting] funding. It’s disappointing, I believe we ticked all the boxes.”

Cr Blackmore said he hoped federal Paterson MP Meryl Swanson would be able to help council get feedback as to why its application was overlooked.

Ms Swanson said she would encourage council to apply for a grant from another pool – the Building Better Regions Fund.

“It is disappointing that no funding from this region-boosting program has come to Paterson, and especially so for Maitland City Council,” Ms Swanson said.

Regional Development minister Fiona Nash said the government would give “tailored feedback” to unsuccessful applicants.

“The Building Better Regions Fund will focus exclusively on areas outside of major capital cities,” she said.

“A new community investment stream will be added to help build rural, regional and remote communities. Projects will compete against other projects of similar size.”