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

The total length of road to be constructed is approximately 1325 metres.


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.


Project Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    Landowner consultation

    • Questionnaire sent to all landowners affected to gauge your support for proposal.
    • Special Charge Scheme road construction projects only proceed where both Council and a majority of landowners are supportive of the proposal.

    Landowner survey complete.

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    Design

    • Council’s Project Engineer will coordinate feature survey and design

    View plans

  • Timeline item 3 - complete

    Landowner briefing

    • Accessible online via Council’s website.
    • Invitation letter sent to landowners
    • The briefing will outline design and Special Charge Scheme Statutory process.
    • Transcript available in related links


  • Timeline item 4 - complete

    Intent to levy

    • Report to Council 27 September 2022 View agenda & minutes
    • Intent to Levy Notice sent to landowners
    • Landowners may submit formal submissions
    • Review of submissions
    • Report to Council with submissions 22 November 2022 View agenda & minutes
  • Timeline item 5 - active

    Declaration

    • Declaration of Special Charge Scheme Notice sent to landowners
    • Landowners may apply for Council’s Declaration of the Special Charge to be reviewed at VCAT
    • If no appeals to VCAT the project will be tendered
    • If an appeal is lodged at VCAT the project will be put on hold until a written decision has been made
  • Timeline item 6 - incomplete

    Construction

    • Contractor engaged via tender
    • Notification of works commencement letter sent to landowners
    • Works complete
    • Final costs of project reported to Council
    • Letter sent to landowners to notify final cost

Contact Us

Have questions or want to learn more about a project, contact us below:

Name Roads for the Community Initiative Team
Phone 1300 368 333
Email mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au