Council has endorsed seven community projects to share in $2.6 million funding from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI).
In May, the Australian Governance announced Council would receive a further $2,667,310 from the third phase of the LRCI Program, which is part of the Government’s COVID-19 response to help local councils support jobs and businesses by delivering shovel-ready projects by 30 June 2023.
At this week’s 28 September meeting, Council endorsed allocating this funding to seven valuable road and community infrastructure projects to be undertaken in its 2021/22 and 2022/23 capital works programs:
- Meredith-Shelford Road Widening – Stage 4: $990,000
- Public Open Space Asset Renewal: $500,500
- Bannockburn Bowls Club Sewer Connection: $210,000
- Lethbridge Lake Boardwalk Upgrade: $180,000
- Golden Plains Youth Hub: $77,000
- Meredith Interpretive Centre Septic System: $42,000
- Meredith-Shelford Road Widening – Stage 5: $667,810
Prior to commencing the projects, Council must submit them to the Australian Government’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development for final approval.
Golden Plains Mayor Cr Helena Kirby says the endorsement brings all these projects another step closer thanks to the funding from the Australian Government.
“Council thanks the Australian Government for its significant nearly $2.7 million allocation to Golden Plains Shire as part of its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program. This comes on top of $2.8 million Council has already received from the program’s first two stages.
“With this funding, Council is proposing to allocate it to seven different projects, including new ones to renew our public open space assets, the Lethbridge Lake Boardwalk and a new septic connection for the Meredith Interpretive Centre. Earlier this week, Council also endorsed allocating some of the funds to complete existing projects at the Bannockburn and District Bowls Club, and to complete the Golden Plains Youth Hub and final two stages of the Meredith-Shelford Road Widening Project.
“Should these important projects receive final approval from the Federal Government, Council looks forward to delivering them over the next two years.”
Meredith-Shelford Road Widening – Stage 4: $990,000
Continue the staged upgrade of Meredith-Shelford Road, with a further 2 kilometres of the 10-kilometre planned upgrade widened and resurfaced. Stage 1 of the upgrade has been completed, with the contracts awarded on stages 2 and 3.
Public Open Space Asset Renewal: $500,500
The Public Open Space Asset Renewal project will renew, and in some cases, upgrade a number of assets across the Shire’s open space network of reserves, parks and gardens. Such assets include bench seats, bubblers, lookout platforms, picnic shelters, pathways and public amenity blocks. Specific assets that will be considered for renew include the Bruces Creek and Leigh River Junction viewing platforms, and the Lethbridge Lake amenity block, and this project will include opportunities to increase inclusiveness at some of these sites.
Bannockburn Bowls Club Sewer Connection: $210,000
The Bannockburn and District Bowls Club requires its own connection to the sewer main. This project will deliver the community facility its own connection to the reticulated sewerage system and complements the current Bannockburn and District Bowls Club upgrade project, which is funded by $274,400 from Council, $250,000 from the Victorian Government, $140,000 from the club and $96,270 from the previous phase of the Australian Government’s LRCI Program.
Lethbridge Lake Boardwalk Upgrade: $180,000
The popular boardwalk around Lethbridge Lake requires significant works to replace the ageing structure. This project will upgrade the boardwalk for the Lethbridge community.
Golden Plains Youth Hub: $77,000
Construction is currently underway on the Golden Plains Youth Hub located opposite the Shire’s only high school, Bannockburn College P-12. The Golden Plains Youth Hub will be a vibrant facility that will provide inclusive, innovative and accessible programs and services for young people in Golden Plains. The project is being delivered with $271,032 from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, $100,000 from previous phases of the Australian Government’s LLRCI Program, $100,000 from Bannockburn and District Grants, and Council’s $90,720 in-kind contribution of the portable building. This further allocation of $77,000 will complete the fit out of the Youth Hub.
Meredith Interpretive Centre Septic System: $42,000
The septic system for the public toilets at the Meredith Interpretive Centre requires replacing, particularly given the expected increase in use due to the increasing popularity of the neighbouring community garden. This project will include the decommissioning and removal of the existing system and the installation of a new treatment and dispersal system.
Meredith-Shelford Road Widening – Stage 5: $667,810
The final stage of the Meredith-Shelford Road Widening Project will see the final 2-kilometre section of Meredith-Shelford Road resurfaced, completing the staged 10-kilometre upgrade of the road. The total cost of the final stage is estimated at $990,000, and Council will seek the remaining $322,190 from other Government funding opportunities.