Council is set to receive $5.2 million to upgrade roads, community facilities and other Council-owned assets as part of the federal government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program – phase three.
Since the Phase One announcement in May 2020, the LRCI Program has been providing stimulus funding to councils to help deliver priority projects and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor, Cr Chrissy Weller said Council has been allocated the third-round funding of $5,245,590 on top of more than $5 million already received from the first two rounds.
“The federal government initiative has enabled us to improve public accessibility, visual amenity and safety of some key Council-owned assets while also supporting jobs and stimulating the economy, and we thank our local member Damian Drum for his efforts on our behalf,” Cr Weller said.
In considering suitable projects that meet the funding criteria and the requirement to be completed by June 2023, Council approved the following:
- Kyabram Recreation Reserve – netball court and lighting upgrade
- Rushworth – Murchison Rail Trail construction
- Shire wide Community Solar projects
- Shire wide Gravel Road Resheeting Program, to resheet an additional 72.4 kilometres of gravel roads
Council also reallocated $1.5 million from projects unable to be completed by June 2022 from rounds one and two.
“In progressing some projects, a number of factors have arisen that need to be addressed before construction can start,” the Mayor added.
“Council also noted there may be delays in the netball projects due to the lack in tender responses to date to complete the works.”
Council reallocated funds to two projects that meet the funding criteria and can be completed by the June 2022 deadline, as follows:
- Roslynmead Road, road shoulder stabilising works
- Replacement of footpaths, shire wide
These undelivered projects will still be delivered under Council’s capital works program.
