The Greater Bendigo City Council's 2020/2021 draft Budget will fund close to $6M of projects in rural areas of Greater Bendigo to benefit small towns and communities across the municipality and provide a much-needed boost for the local economy.
These include a new footpath in Grant St, Goornong, replacement of footpaths in High St, Heathcote and Cardwell St, Elmore, new footpath in Hospital Street, Heathcote, and reconstruction of a section of Axedale-Goornong Road south of Axe Creek.
Other items include the detailed design of the Heathcote Civic Precinct, funding for a drainage study for Heathcote town centre and design for the redevelopment of the Axedale tennis courts.
Rural areas will also benefit from $2.85M in gravel road re-sheeting, which will occur across the municipality.
Mayor Cr Margaret O'Rourke said rural communities were a priority for Councillors when allocating funding for projects.
"We take our responsibly to maintain our essential infrastructure across the municipality very seriously, so roads, footpaths and recreation facilities in rural communities have again been included in our Budget," Cr O'Rourke said.
"Regardless of where they live, we want to ensure our residents can live healthy, safe and connected lives, which means maintaining and upgrading infrastructure in a timely manner.
"Building projects are also important in supporting the local economy as we work to recover as a community from the COVID-19 pandemic."
To view the draft Budget, go to www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/budget
