SEVEN priority projects located in various parts of the Walgett shire are expected to get off the ground following a cash injection worth almost $2.5 million from the federal government.

Federal member for Parkes Mark Coulton recently visited Walgett Shire Council and spoke to Mayor Jane Keir and General Manager Michael Urquhart about the rollout of the projects.

Mr Coulton said the projects were approved through Phase 3 of the previous coalition government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program and all would have lasting benefits for the shire.

“With the challenges presented by COVID-19, bushfires, floods and the drought, the past couple of years have been tough for communities, businesses and local councils,” Mr Coulton said.

“This funding will provide a vital boost for communities throughout the shire, backing local jobs and economic growth while delivering important projects that will benefit residents for years to come.”

The latest round of funding for Walgett follows more than $2.2 million already allocated under previous LRCI rounds.

$1 million of the $2.47 million allocated through Phase 3 will go towards building the Walgett Splash Park.

Walgett Shire Council's General Manager Michael Urquhart said while the price tag might seem high, it was a fairly standard cost for a project of this nature.

"It will certainly be a nice splash park, but they are very expensive infrastructure to put in so it will be nothing out of the ordinary," Mr Urquhart said.

"There are so many things that have to happen in the background, including treatment of water and works with pumps underground to make sure everything works properly."

A further breakdown of the remaining projects funded under Phase 3 and their associated costs are as follows:

• The Rowena Hall refurbishment – $60,000
• Collarenebri Hall refurbishment – $250,000
• Opal Street footpath construction in Lightning Ridge – $210,000
• Carinda Sportsground fencing renewal – $40,000
• Reconstruction and sealing of Miners Road, Grawin – $180,000
• Gravel re-sheeting and sheeting of unsealed roads – $731,230

Walgett council Mayor Jane Keir said it would have been impossible to make this scale of improvements to their local infrastructure and roads without government funding and expressed her gratitude to Mr Coulton for his part in sourcing it.

“We cover an area of 22,000 square kilometres with a population of below 7,000, so our rate base is never going to cover these projects," Cr Keir said.

"That’s why this funding makes so much difference."

Walgett Shire Council have also wasted no time in getting these projects underway.

According to Mr Urquhart, works at Miners Road are already complete while a strategy is currently being developed for the roads that would have gravel re-sheeting.

"The re-sheeting will only be happening on specific roads. The priority will be school bus routes," he said.

Meanwhile, the scope of works for the infrastructure projects is being planned and proceeding as quickly and as efficiently as council can manage.

While he said it was too early to say an exact timeframe on most of the projects, Mr Urquhart said he hoped to see the Splash Park, which is currently being designed, completed by June 2023.

Mr Coulton also recently announced $1,859,636 for Coonamble Shire Council under its own allocation from LRCI Phase 3.

According to Coonamble Shire Council, this will be used to fund two priority road projects which involve upgrades to Box Ridge Road and sections of Gulargambone Road.