CRESWICK\u2019S community are asking the State government for funding for the Hammon Park Trail Head Bike Park and Recreation Facility project.<\/p>\n
The initiative aims to provide amenities and activities to those utilising the town\u2019s 100-kilometre mountain bike trail.<\/p>\n
This track previously received $2.5 million in funding from the State government and has commenced construction.<\/p>\n
A member of The Villages of the Old Goldfields Association (VOGA) Cycling Club Paddy Kinnersley said that the proposed all-abilities, world class facilities would be a great addition to the area.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the piece of the puzzle that is missing at the moment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
With the plan estimated to cost $2.47 million, The Hepburn Shire Council are hoping the State Government will approve their application under the Local Sport Infrastructure fund.<\/p>\n
The Council is asking for $2.1 million from the government and $250,000 from community contributions with the remainder of $130,000 to be subsidised by the local office.<\/p>\n
Member for Ripon Louise Staley said the initiative ticks all the boxes for this kind of funding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the government is serious about recovery being for all of Victoria, this is exactly the kind of project that we need to see funded,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The project is said to be shovel ready with funding being the only factor holding it back.<\/p>\n
Hepburn Shire Council\u2019s chief executive officer Evan King said of all the projects the town has put forward for COVID-19 stimulus funding, this one is the best fit.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce we can start, it will employ people.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will have great flow on effects from a tourism perspective, bringing people in to the shire, spending money and getting our businesses operating,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Endorsers for the project said that a world class track of this calibre should have its own state of the art facilities at the start and end.<\/p>\n
Cr Louise Staley said re-imagining the area would not only make the space more attractive to local cyclists but also to tourists and event organisers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great project, great for activity with huge support. We\u2019re talking about an asset that\u2019s not only for the community, but for the broader, national and international community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CRESWICK\u2019S community are asking the State government for funding for the Hammon Park Trail Head Bike Park and Recreation Facility project. The initiative aims to provide amenities and activities to those utilising the town\u2019s 100-kilometre mountain bike trail. This track previously received $2.5 million in funding from the State government and has commenced construction. A […]<\/p>\n