Shire nominates projects for infrastructure grant

THE Surf Coast Shire council has nominated a dozen projects for funding in the next phase of the federal government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.

Phase 2 of the program, which aims to stimulate growth and employment in local communities following the impacts of COVID-19, was announced on December 14.

The shire has been allocated $1,581,159 in phase 2, with projects required to be completed by the end of this year.

The council can choose which projects it nominates for funding (similar to the Roads to Recovery Program), with projects to be assessed against the program’s guidelines and approved as long as all eligibility requirements are met.

At their January 19 meeting, councillors resolved to support the officers’ recommendation to nominate 12 projects:

• Great Ocean Views Reserve activation stage 2
• Spring Valley Park informal ball games
• Torquay Football Club interchange boxes
• Mt Moriac Reserve Oval 1 goal net
• Connewarre Riding Club dressage arenas stage 2
• Camp Road Anglesea traffic management improvements
• Lorne School traffic management improvements stage 2
• Pearl Street and Gilbert Street Torquay intersection improvements
• Moriac Lions Park upgrade
• Mt Moriac Reserve Oval 1 drainage and irrigation upgrade
• Eastern Reserve Winchelsea drainage and irrigation upgrade
• Bingley Parade Anglesea traffic management improvements.

The council has also nominated three other projects for funding if there sufficient were unexpended funds after the above 12 projects were completed. In order of priority, these three projects are:

• Deep Creek multi-use tennis area
• Winchelsea HMK Kindergarten playground upgrade
• Nautical Rise edible garden stage 2.

Speaking at the meeting, Cr Paul Barker welcomed the external funding support that would allow the projects to get under way.

“I think it’s a pretty good spread, supporting regions across the shire, and I look forward to the completion of them all.”

Cr Adrian Schonefelder said the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in businesses closing and a reduction in economic activity.

“So fortunately a stimulus package like this has been a godsend for our local area.

“The Connewarre Riding Club dressage arena was one of the projects to receive funding, and with the pandemic, it’s interesting to note
that when riding a horse, you are socially distanced by over a metre-and-a-half from anyone else.”