Project Update - April 2023

Council has received written confirmation from the Commonwealth Government’s Minister for Infrastructure Hon Catherine King MP, of the funding cuts to the Roads for Community program, which will see $47.7 million honoured from the original $150 million commitment.

With this level of funding, Council can continue to progress works on all road projects that have commenced construction, and projects where the contract for works have been awarded.

Council has reviewed the available funding and investigated other funding sources for this project to proceed in the future.

On 11 April 2023, Council adopted a report that recommended Council consider discontinuing the Special Charge Scheme due to the unavailability of funding. Council will consider discontinuing the Scheme at a meeting to be held prior to 1 July 2023 and landowners will be further advised before this meeting.

We are extremely disappointed that funding to this Community Infrastructure Program has been slashed by over $100M, and Council will continue to advocate to have program funding fully restored.

To read more, visit our funding cuts FAQ's.

Works Summary

Henry Street

• Approximately 505 metres asphalt road with a trafficable width of 5.6 metres approx. that follows the existing road formation
• Concrete rollover kerb and channel on the eastern side of the road
• Installation of underground longitudinal drainage on the western side of the road
• Reinstatement of vehicle crossovers

Lester Street

• Approximately 390 metres urban asphalt road with a trafficable width of 5.6 metres approx. following the existing road formation
• Concrete rollover kerb and channel on both sides of the road and associated underground longitudinal drainage
• Turnarounds at the dead end of road
• Reinstatement of vehicle crossovers

Everard Grove

• Approximately 430 metres asphalt road with a sealed width of 3.5 metres approx. following the existing road formation
• 0.5m crushed rock shoulders
• Culvert upgrades to existing driveway crossovers
• Turnarounds at the dead end of road
• Reinstatement of vehicle crossovers

Property Crossovers

As part of the works, any existing property crossovers will be reinstated to the new road level using a similar material and as close to their current standard as possible.

If a landowner wishes to have their crossover upgraded from crushed rock to concrete or asphalt as part of the project, they may approach the contractor undertaking these works for a quotation, noting that this is a private agreement between the landowner and the contractor.

Background

In 2019 the Federal Government announced a nine year, $150 million funding plan for Yarra Ranges Council to seal roads within the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas. This funding program has been named the Roads for the Community Initiative.

Council has prioritised roads that will be constructed through this program to ensure funding is used in a way that will provide maximum benefit to the greatest number of residents and visitors to our area. For information explaining how priority was assigned, please see Roads for the Community FAQ's.

This project has been listed for construction under the Roads for the Community Initiative program and will be facilitated by means of a Special Charge Scheme, whereby landowners and Council form a partnership to fund construction.