Shire’s projects backed by federal funding

THE Coalition Government will support 11 projects in the Surf Coast Shire with a collective $1.5 million in funding through its Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program.

The Surf Coast Shire council applied in February for the projects in the program, which aims to stimulate growth and employment in local communities following the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

The council will deliver the 11 projects before the end of this year. They are:

• $36,000 to improve facilities at Great Ocean Views playground at Torquay
• $42,000 for upgrade work at Spring Valley Informal Ball Games
• $60,000 for new Torquay Football Club Interchange Boxes
• $30,000 for a new goal net at Mt Moriac Oval
• $60,000 to improve the dressage arena at Connewarre Riding Club
• $253,000 for intersection improvements at Pearl Street and Gilbert Street in Torquay
• $140,000 for traffic management improvements at both Bingley Parade and Camp Road in Anglesea
• $345,000 to improve road safety around Lorne School
• $250,000 for a major drainage at irrigation upgrade at Eastern Reserve in Winchelsea
• $193,759 for a major upgrade of drainage and irrigation at Mt Moriac Reserve Oval, and
• $160,400 for painting and upgrades at Moriac Lions Park.

“We are funding projects with tangible benefits for our Surf Coast community like safer roads, better sporting facilities and attractive, accessible public spaces,” Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said

“This funding will promote healthy, active lifestyles and support road user safety including around schools.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said almost 5,000 projects had already been nominated under the program with about $450 million funding provided to councils across Australia.

“Our funding boost is helping communities across Australia accelerate priority projects to get people into jobs and stimulate our economy,” he said.

“We know how important our support is to communities who have faced the combined effects of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, which is why we are backing projects to create employment and business opportunities while cutting travel times, as well as making our roads and communities safer.

“We are moving decisively to deliver the support councils and communities need to get through this pandemic and get back on their feet.

“Under the program, councils have already nominated almost 5,000 projects with construction to be completed by the end of this year.”

In May 2020, the Coalition also pre-paid $1.3 billion of this year’s Financial Assistance Grant to provide untied funding for all councils across Australia to spend on local priorities.