Victoria’s Moyne Shire Council has welcomed the announcement of $11.1 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program.
Council says the funding will upgrade 31.35 kilometres in the Woorndoo and Chatsworth area and will be delivered over a two year period.
Moyne Shire Council Mayor, Ian Smith said he was ecstatic council’s application had been
successful.
“Council’s annual roads budget is around $10 million, so this funding is a bit more than double that and will ensure over the next two years we are spending $15 million to repair and upgrade our local roads,” Mayor Smith said.
“It’s going to make a huge difference to road safety in that area. This will upgrade the worst sections of the Hamilton-Chatsworth Road, Chatsworth – Bolac Road and the Woorndoo – Chatsworth Road. It’s is a massive outcome for Council and we thank the Australian Government for providing this funding.
“The condition of our roads is the number one issue for our communities. Council has made a big effort in our own budget to improve road conditions, but we have also been strongly
advocating for funding from Government’s to allow us to do even more work.
“This is a fantastic outcome particularly for the communities of Woorndoo and Chatsworth who deserve high quality roads to go about their daily business.”
The Mayor said the upgrades would also improve safety for visitors, whose GPS systems often send them along these roads on the way to the Grampians or Great Ocean Road.
“These devices are sending them down roads that they aren’t; used to driving on and it creates a serious safety issue,” he said.
“This funding will help us improve safety for all road users in that area.”
Moyne Shire Council was one of only 39 municipalities across Australia to receive funding from the Remote Roads Upgrade Pilot Program.
Council will contribute $2.5 million to the project and the Rural City of Ararat will contribute
$254,531 with one of the roads travelling into that municipality.
Detailed planning will now begin with work to commence as soon as possible, Mayor Smith said.
