Project Update - February 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.

Unfortunately, there is now insufficient funding for this project to proceed.

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

Stage 1

Small section in front of the Seville Primary School along both Railway Road and Walker Road, Seville.

The works are scheduled to commence in early 2022 and should take approximately 6 weeks to complete subject to favourable conditions.

Works include the construction of a concrete footpath and parallel parking on the eastern side of Railway Road and the construction of Walker Road along the boundary of Seville Primary School.

Please be aware that while we will make every attempt to keep disruptions to a minimum, due to the nature and extent of the works there are likely to be some disruptions to access and traffic flow. This will occur during normal construction working hours from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm on weekdays.

Stage 2 (Blue line on map of works)

The additional section of Walker Road, Seville is included in the Roads for the Community Initiative program as a Special Charge Scheme with construction, subject to landowner support, scheduled for the 2025/2026 financial year.

Due to proximity of other road projects within the Seville area, construction of this section of Walker Road may be brought forward should funding be available. This is to ensure that efficiencies and cost savings are achieved through the landowner consultation, design, tender and construction processes. Subject to funding, Walker Road construction will start in 2024/2025 financial year. Please note, this has been adjusted from the original proposal of 2022/2023.

Total length of Walker road to be constructed is approximately 520 metres.

• Approximately 5 metres wide urban standard asphalt road
• Rollover kerb and channel or concrete edge strip
• Associated underground drainage works where required.

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

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.