$1.3 Million To Deliver Local Projects

Media Release

In May, the Federal Government announced Council would be allocated $1,333,655 from its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

The program is part of the Federal Government’s COVID-19 response to help local councils support jobs and businesses by delivering shovel-ready projects by June 2021.

At its July Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved to allocate this funding to a number of valuable road and community infrastructure projects to be undertaken in its 2020/21 capital works program:

Reserve Road Bridge, Rokewood Replacement: $700,000

This bridge replacement project will see the aged, load limited single-lane timber bridge replaced with a new unrestricted, double-lane concrete bridge on an improved road alignment.

Maude Recreation Reserve / Lookout Water Supply Upgrade: $15,500

This upgrade will connect the camping area and toilet block to a reticulated water supply from the Barwon Water system. The area is currently served by a rainwater tank, and was a budget submission from the Maude Recreation Reserve Committee of Management.

Playground Renewal in Dereel, Linton, Garibaldi and Haddon: $240,455

Council’s 10-year Play Space Strategy identified the playgrounds at Dereel, Linton, Garibaldi and Haddon as requiring renewal to improve safety and increase the play value of the sites.

In July, Council also agreed to allocate the remaining funding to three other projects, which are all subject to further successful government funding applications. In the event the contributing funding is not secured, the funding will be diverted to deliver the widening of Meredith-Shelford Road. Since the meeting, Council has received funding confirmation for one of the three projects:

Inverleigh Female Friendly Change Rooms: $177,700

This $1.8 million project will see refurbishment of two existing player change rooms and supporting amenities, as well as the construction of two new female friendly/unisex change rooms, and umpire change rooms with supporting amenities including, first aid, massage, and storage spaces. The installation of a new septic system will also be included in this project. The project will be funded by the $177,700 allocation and $1.5 million from the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program that was announced yesterday.

The two remaining partnership projects requiring further funding are:

Golden Plains Shire Youth Hub: $100,000

The $562,000 Golden Plains Shire Youth Hub project will see the redevelopment and relocation of a Council portable office into a vibrant facility that will provide inclusive, innovative and accessible programs and services for young people in a growing community. The project will support improved health, social, education and employability outcomes, and provide stronger connections between the local community and services young people need. Council has applied to the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund for the additional funding, which it will use alongside a $100,000 contribution from the Bannockburn & District Connected Communities.

Bannockburn Skate Park: $100,000

This $449,900 project plans to rejuvenate and upgrade the Bannockburn Skate Park and address public safety and security issues at the site and in the wider precinct. The project will incorporate a safe, accessible and modern design to maximise site usability and ownership, while supporting local economic activity. To complete this project, Council has applied for funding from the Victorian Government’s Community Safety Infrastructure Grants program.

Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey thanked the Federal Government for the funding that will deliver a number of great projects for the local community.

“This significant investment by the Federal Government in our Golden Plains community is very welcome. As part of Council’s strategic and advocacy work, we are always ready with plans for a range of valuable road and community infrastructure projects and this $1.3 million will allow Council to complete these shovel-ready jobs over the next year that otherwise, we just wouldn’t have otherwise been able to fund.

“In deciding how to allocate this money, Council agreed to put it towards projects in all corners of the Shire, from playground upgrades in Dereel, Linton, Garibaldi and Haddon, to replacing the old Reserve Road Bridge in Rokewood, and upgrading the water supply to the Recreation Reserve in Maude.

“Council also set aside the remaining funding to help us leverage additional Government funding for some larger projects in Inverleigh and Bannockburn, that we hope to be able to complete in the next year as well.”

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