Money for a swimming pool upgrade, student accommodation at the Wellington Caves and the redevelopment of a sporting ground were among the projects announced by Dubbo MP Troy Grant to benefit from the NSW government funding.

Mr Grant was joined by Mr Kneipp as he announced projects receiving funding on Monday.

The Wellington Swimming Pool which Mr Grant said was in an “unacceptable” state will receive $4.5 million. It will be added to $3.5 million allocated by DRC’s Stronger Communities Fund.

“The pool there at the moment is nearly bordering on negligence, the level that pool was allowed to decay and degrade, no checking of it – a wall potentially about to collapse and for powder chlorine to potentially leak into the pool is unacceptable,” Mr Grant said.

The redevelopment of the Wellington Caves will get $1.3 million, stage two of the Rygate Park project will get $565,000, and $250,000 will go to the Wellington Justice Museum.

Wellington and Dubbo will share $1.5 million for the Wiradjuri Tourism Experience. Geurie will get $245,000 for a Multi-Court and Recreation Complex upgrade.

Mr Kneipp said the funding will bring forward the projects significantly in what highlights DRC as being one of the most robust regional capitals in Australia.

“Troy has worked tirelessly and strategically to make sure our communities have the strongest future and this is simply an historic investment into our area and will give the newly elected councillors the very best foundation to help our area flourish,” he said.

“It’s massive, there’s no other way to describe it and I’m sure we will be the envy of many. That $28 million is on top of the original $10 million in the community fund. It’s not as if we’re coming off a low base, we had $10 million for that. 

“We always have a wish list. You’ve got to think big, it was just brilliant.” 

Mr Grant said the announcement doubled as an important move to ensure villages know they don’t miss out in the amalgamated council.