Yarra Ranges Council budget includes cash for Yarra Valley Trail
Cyclists and fitness enthusiasts are set to benefit from a new 40km trail link between Lilydale, Yarra Glen and Healesville, joining the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail.
East
Don't miss out on the headlines from East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Homeowners and the tourist industry will be the big winners if the Yarra Ranges Council’s 2019 draft budget is approved.
It proposes a $78 million capital works program tackling dodgy footpaths, urban drainage and trail projects.
The council last week agreed to advertise the draft budget for public feedback.
MORE YARRA RANGES COUNCIL
AUTISM SCHOOL OK’D FOR COLDSTREAM
BELGRAVE GRAMMAR BUILDING UP FOR SALE
$3.6M FOR LILYDALE CIVIC CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT
It proposed construction or maintenance of 23 concrete paths across the municipality, while big ticket tourist items the Yarra Valley Trail and the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination project are also on the cards.
The Yarra Valley Trail is a planned 40km trail link between Lilydale, Yarra Glen and Healesville, joining the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail, and worth more than $3 million.
The Warburton Mountain Bike Destination is a project to develop more than 100km of mountain bike trails in the hills around Warburton, a multi-year project worth more than $3 million.
And it’s all being achieved with a budget surplus of about $15 million and sticking to the maximum average rates rise of 2.5 per cent.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Tony Stevenson said the budget put the council “in a good position to build for the future”.
“It’s been well considered for the here and now but also caters for the future,” he said.
Cr Stevenson said footpaths focused on creating links to towns and schools.
“A number of footpaths will connect residents to towns and primary schools,” he said. Projects had drawn funding from multiple sources, Cr Stevenson said.
“Many of the projects will draw funding from our budget and local sources, as well as federal and state grants,” he said.
Public submissions are due by May 8. Head to yarraranges.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay or call 1300 368 333.
‘White Australia’ fundraiser raises $27k in just eight days
A crowd-funding page created by a controversial neo-Nazi figure has raised more than $27,000 to help “create a home for white people in Australia”.
Like a dame: Lilydale property up for heritage protection
A historic Lilydale home with links to renowned opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, is up for heritage protection, as the hills strengthen its links with the famed opera singer.