Sport, recreation and energy projects in the Yarra Ranges will become a reality, following the announcement of $2.5 million in Growing Suburbs Funding from the State Government.
On Thursday, 3 September, State Member for Monbulk, James Merlino MP announced funding for projects in the region, including $150,000 for the Upwey Skatepark Redesign, $1.85 million for a new pavilion at Kimberley Recreation Reserve in Chirnside Park and $500,000 for a new waste-to-energy project at Coldstream Waste Transfer Station.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Richard Higgins, said the Growing Suburbs Funding would turn these projects from ideas into reality.
"We know that the community is looking forward to the time when it's safe to ease restrictions, when playgrounds and skateparks reopen and, eventually, when community sport can resume," Mr Higgins said.
"The Upwey Skatepark Redesign and the pavilion project at Kimberley Reserve will be fantastic projects for them to look forward to, reminding them that things will get back to normal one day. We'll be working on these projects and many others for when it's safe and restrictions begin to wind back.
"The waste-to-energy project in Coldstream will be vitally-important for reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, while also generating energy to reduce our running costs and our reliance on the grid.
"We can't wait to share more details about these projects with the community, and for the day when we can share the finished results in person."
Council CEO, Tammi Rose, said the Growing Suburbs Fund provides funding for community infrastructure projects in the ten interface and six peri-urban Council areas around Melbourne, including Yarra Ranges.
"Council has previously received Growing Suburbs Fund support for a number of major community projects, including the Queens Park Playspace in Healesville, the Burrinja Redevelopment in Upwey, the Mount Evelyn Community Sport and Recreation Pavilion project and the Upwey Tecoma Community Recreation and Sporting Hub (UTCRASH)," Ms Rose said.
"We're proud of our ongoing partnership with the State Government and thankful for the support of the Growing Suburbs Fund that enables us to deliver these vital community projects.
"We look forward to working on these newly-funded projects and sharing them with our community as soon as we can."
