The project is part of Federation Council’s allocation of $2,202,083 from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Round 4 funding from the Federal Government.
Inclusion of the skate parks’ works are at the expense of Urana Caravan Park Amenity Building Refurbishment ($60,000) and the Balldale Raw Water Supply Upgrade – New Bore Fit Out ($130,000) which were deemed ineligible by the government.
The Urana Caravan Park was ineligible due to funding not being able to be allocated for ‘upgrades or improvements to tourist precincts that are not generally accessible to the wider community.’
The Balldale Raw Water Supply Upgrade was ineligible as funds funding had previously been allocated to this project in an earlier round.
Federation Council’s allocation of $2,202,083 comprises $1,396,532 to be spent on local roads and community infrastructure projects and $805,551 to be spent exclusively on roads’ projects (includes roads, bridges, footpaths, street lighting and traffic signage).
The program runs from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025. The report tabled at council’s latest monthly meeting on January 16 followed changes to council’s Project Schedule due to projects not meeting the eligibility criteria.
These projects being ineligible required council to nominate alternative projects to the value of $190,000. Several alternative projects listed at council’s November meeting which missed out and further considered by council included:
Skehans Lane Drain Rehabilitation, Stage 1 Clean out and rehabilitate the Skehans Lane Drain - Stage 1 $250,000; Renewal Mulwala Drainage Improvements Clean out of the Lucan Street open drain to Wanani Road, Mulwala $250,000; Renewal Footpath Renewal Program Replacement of footpath that have reached the end of their useful life $315,083; Renewal Mulwala Shared Path Rail Crossings Formally construct shared paths across the Benalla to Oaklands rail line at Inglis Street, Bayly Street and Gulai Road $240,000.
“Drainage and parking at the Corowa Skate Park is a project that has had some community feedback due to accessibility issues at the site. This project is the recommended option,” council’s director engineering services Theo Panagopoulos said.
Cr Gail Law welcomed the choice of the skate park project and said car parking should be improved and safe.
“A lot of parents take their kids to the skate park. Drainage is another very important issue,” she said.
Cr David Fahey OAM endorsed the skate park selection adding that Round 4 funding is being spread around the shire fairly and that the subject project neatly fits the $190,000 vacancy. Councillors agreed unanimously.
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