Residents roll their sleeves up and deliver

Residents roll their sleeves up and deliver

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Bruce Hilliard (DDRA), shire president Rob Coales, member for Darling Range Hugh Jones and equine officer Paula Vaughan.

The Darling Downs Residents Association has been hard at work, teaming up with the shire to upgrade a series of community spaces.

Together they have created a new rest area in the Evening Peal Court carpark, refurbished the notice board in the rest area, and carried out upgrades to the Darling Downs Equestrian Park (DDEP).

The upgrades were jointly funded by the shire and a Lotterywest grant.

The new rest area offers locals a shaded space to unwind, and its close proximity to the DDEP improves the overall experience for resident horse riders.

Shire president Rob Coales thanked the DDRA and Member for Darling Range Hugh Jones for supporting these important works.

“The DDRA has been partnering together with shire staff to deliver crucial upgrades that directly benefit our residents,” President Rob Coales said.

But this is not all the DDRA has achieved. This financial year alone members have contributed over 1300 volunteer hours to enhance safety and usability of the Darling Downs Equestrian Park, by blearing 76 hectares of trails and reserves of fallen branches and dead trees, mowing and clearing grass to reduce fire risks, and refurbishing and levelling trails for improved usability for horse riders, walkers, and bicyclists.

They have also installed a new durable cement floor in the DDRA’s shed thanks to the shire’s support, provided better signage to make the area safer, fixed fencing and procured new jumps for use by the equine community.

DDRA president Bruce Hilliard said he was looking forward to delivering even more positive outcomes for the community in the future.

“We are always looking for new people to join our team and help us continue our work. I encourage anyone passionate about their local community to get in touch today,” he said.

Residents interested in joining the Darling Downs Residents Association can email secretary@ddrawa.onmicrosoft.com.