Several councils in the Western Plains area are set to benefit from more than $4.6 million in grants under the third round of the federal government's Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program.

The Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program was set up by the government to support economic development projects in identified communities impacted by water recovery under the Basin Plan.

Combined, round one and round two of the program are currently providing almost $39 million to support a large range of projects in several Basin communities.

A third round of the project, providing a further $34 million closed for applications on Monday 12 April 2021, with a list of 15 successful applicants from the Parkes electorate being announced on Tuesday 29 June.

Included on this list was the Narromine Shire Council, Warren Shire Council, Brewarrina Shire Council, Bourke Shire Council and Warren Shire Council, who received more than $4.6 million between them.

The full split along with their associated projects can be found below:

• Narromine Shire Council - Revitalisation and Activation Project - $600,000

• Warren Shire Council - Warren Showground Racecourse Improvement Program - $250,000

• Warren Shire Council - Water Reservoirs and Grain Silos Murals - $250,000

• Warren Shire Council - Carter Oval Sports Lighting Project - $500,000

• Warren Shire Council - Monkeygar Creek Macquarie Marshes Bird Viewing Project - $500,000

• Brewarrina Shire Council - Brewarrina Aboriginal Fishtraps Lookout & River Walk - $920,000

• Bourke Shire Council - Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre Upgrade - $974,215

• Walgett Shire Council - Collarenebri Bore Bath - $920,124

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said he was thrilled to make the announcement of the above funding as well as that for seven other projects in his electorate.

One of these was the Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre funding.

“Bourke Shire Council will use this funding to upgrade the popular Back O Bourke Exhibition Centre with new technology and information for a number of the key displays, which will help boost tourism and attract more visitors to the community,” Mr Coulton said. 

“Communities in the Parkes electorate have great ideas to grow and prosper and these grants will help get those plans off the ground, delivering innovative and practical projects that will have an enduring positive impact.

“Each of the projects selected to receive funding so far under Round 3 will help communities by using local suppliers and resources as well as through local knowledge to drive the best outcomes for our region.”

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said successful projects would create new jobs in Murray–Darling Basin communities and he would be announcing further successful projects as they were approved and finalised.

Receiving a total of $1.5 million divided among four separate projects was the Warren Shire Council.

General Manager Gary Woodman was unable to comment at this stage how the funding would be used but said he was excited.

"We are very pleased to hear about the announcement," Mr Woodman said.

"Further details about what this means for us will be revealed following the next Warren Shire Council meeting on July 22."