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Benalla council funds new infrastructure projects to the value of $265,000
Benalla Rural City Council has allocated $265,000 to three local infrastructure projects after freeing up funding originally earmarked for drainage works.
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The council's 2021-22 budget, which was adopted in June, included $1.019 million of drainage works funded by phase two of the Federal Government's Local Road and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program.
After the budget was adopted a review of the council's capital works program identified that several non-drainage projects could also be funded from that money.
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The projects include:
● Public playground renewal program - $170,000;
● Council contribution to the walking track from Benalla to the Benalla Racecourse - $65,000; and
● Council contribution to the Benalla Equestrian Centre fencing project - $30,000.
LRCI program-funded drainage projects totalling $754,000 will remain in the budget, including:
● Increasing the capacity of the Cowan St basin to enable further housing developments in the west of Benalla - $300,000;
● Drainage works in Benalla East - $254,000; and
● Kerb and channel renewal - $200,000.
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The council's assets and infrastructure manager Adrian Gasperoni told the meeting the Federal Government had also advised that the council would receive $1,950,110 under phase three of the LRCI program.
“Projects funded in this program will be able to commence by January 2022, and need to be completed by June 30, 2023,” Mr Gasperoni said.
“Some initial projects to be considered by council under phase three of the LRCI program could include delivery of projects identified by the pathways to the future strategy.”
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Mr Gasperoni mentioned several projects that might include:
● Heating and cooling upgrades at the Benalla Town Hall;
● More rural township projects;
● An upgrade of the Lake Benalla Boardwalk; and
● Stage two of the Fawckner Dve roadworks.
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Cr Don Firth questioned why the Fawckner Dve roadworks were scheduled in two stages.
Council chief executive Dom Testoni told the meeting stage one included work from Lake Benalla to Carrier St and would include some drainage work.
“What we're calling stage two would be (works) from Carrier St back to Coster St,” Mr Testoni said.
Stage one is anticipated to begin towards the end of 2021.
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Cr Punarji Gunaratne asked Mr Gasperoni if any other groups would be contributing to the cost of the proposed walking track from the CBD to the racecourse - and about its proposed length.
“The total length is about 1.4 km,” Mr Gasperoni said.
“We have started discussion with both the racing club and Raise the Roof, so there is conversations around contributions from them.
“Once we've finalised details we will be able to sit down with them and discuss what contribution they will be willing to make.
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“At this stage we believe we'll be in a very strong position to, at the very least, supply a gravel path.
“We've also approached the Department of Transport, who are interested in this project , however at this stage they haven't made any commitment.”
Cr Gunaratne questioned why the equestrian centre fencing project was selected for funding, rather than others proposed. One example was proposed upgrades to the Benalla Airport Precinct and Migrant Camp.
Mr Testoni told the meeting the main reason was the committee at the equestrian centre were putting forward half the money.
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“And they are prepared to deliver the project for us,” he said.
“The other submissions, particularly around the migrant camp . . . We've actually submitted an application for funding of projects out there.
“So I think it would be prudent of us to wait on the outcome of that submission before we commit to do any further work.”
Cr Gunaratne also questioned if any of the Public Playground Renewal Program funding would be spent in rural townships as well as in Benalla.
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Mr Gasperoni confirmed that would be the case.
The motion, which also included funding of $40,000 to build an office at the council depot, passed unanimously.
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