AN UNDERDOG attitude was present among community members attending the third round of meetings in Dunedoo regarding the Restart NSW Cobbora Transition Fund.
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Fears of being in competition with larger and better- resourced centres such as Dubbo for a slice of the $16 million pie weighed heavy on the minds of many at the Wednesday afternoon meeting at Dunedoo Golf Club.
The Cobbora Transition Committee chair, member for Dubbo Troy Grant, promised the community members present that resources would be made available to help with the writing of project applications.
Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries urged Dunedoo community members to communicate with each other and the local council about their project ideas.
Mr Humphries suggested that a project such as a feedlot would boost the agriculture industry in Dunedoo and support local businesses.
Several project suggestions focused on the development of the old Dunedoo hospital.
Dunedoo real estate agent Angus Stuart said the hospital currently sat unused on the outskirts of the town like "a white elephant" and might be developed into an aged care or high care facility.
"We have an old hospital on the edge of town, probably some of the best real estate in Dunedoo," he said.
Rob Ingram from Cobbora suggested young people could benefit from the development of the old hospital.
"Following the August meeting here I actually sent a submission to the transition committee for an idea I thought would increase Dunedoo's population and also reinvigorate its community," he said.
"The idea was to use the site of the old Dunedoo hospital to create appropriate accommodation and care for young people with disability."
About 7000 young disabled people currently reside in aged care due to lack of facilities, Mr Ingram said.
"If you are worried about spending the last five years of your life in one of these places imagine spending the next 50 there," he said.
The revisiting of previously-suggested projects for Dunedoo was also suggested at the meeting as was a transport service for goods and community members.
Applications for the Restart NSW Cobbora Transition Fund will call from November 1.
At the end of January applications will close and shortlisted projects will be announced a couple of weeks later.
In March 2014 projects were released for community consultation.
By the second quarter of 2014 the NSW Government expects to announce successful projects in the 2014-15 budget.
