Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, who announced the grant, said the financial help would help transform an exposed oversized carport structure, that doubles as a clubhouse for the sports ground, into a standalone and secure building.

He said Warialda Rail was a village in revival – a satellite suburb of Warialda that had become home to more families seeking out rural residential and bigger house blocks, many commuting to work in town or on district farms and feedlots.

“The latest statistics show us that there’s some 56 children, aged from babies to 12-year-olds, who live in the village, and this funding will help upgrade the facilities at the sports ground that is a hub for family life and activities,” Marshall said.

“It’s a lovely little community in a village that dates back more than 100 years when the recreation reserve was established there.

“The $50,000 grant will go towards renovating the clubhouse, enclosing what’s virtually a big carport, and refurbishing it internally so that it meets the growing needs of a growing community. It will make it more family-friendly.

“But the project will also focus on providing more compliant playground equipment and relocating that to a more suitable area, and adding some extras to that, as well as putting in a soft-fall surface for play and some shade shelter.”

The Warialda Rail community last year asked Gwydir Shire Council to grant them Section 355 committee status, which under the Local Government Act provides for local people to act as an advisory group for the benefit and progress of different communities.

“The council agreed and the community requested an upgrade and refurbishment of the sportsground facilities, which includes an open field for cricket and a tennis court,” Marshall said.

“The residents there are keen to see some more improvements and the council and I have been listening and acting on those.”

Gwydir Shire Mayor John Coulton said a lot of families gathered together regularly at the clubhouse, and updating facilities, to provide a secure bar area and make more accommodating for social interaction, was important.

A solar-power system will be installed to reduce energy costs, and Coulton hopes that might extend to using it to pump water out onto the grounds to improve the outside recreational and sporting areas.