Council welcomes funding win for Yarra Ranges roads
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Yarra Ranges Council has welcomed the announcement that both major political parties will honour a recent $300 million commitment to seal streets in the Dandenong Ranges and surrounds.
The recently-announced Federal Budget funding will enable 500km of dirt roads in Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shire, to be sealed over a 10-year period, directly benefiting up to 20,000 families and many other road users.
Both the Coalition and Labor have committed to delivering this funding, which means the projectis guaranteed to go ahead.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Tony Stevenson said the funding announcement was the result of an advocacy partnership between the two councils, who had been seeking funding to implement a transformational improvement of unmade roads throughout the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding townships and rural areas of both municipalities.
“This road funding announcement is a huge win for the people of Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shire,” Cr Stevenson said.
“This funding gives us a huge opportunity to improve people’s day to day lives, by reducing dust on their streets and in school playgrounds, potholes and mud in wet weather, and improve property access for emergency services.
“We’re pleased that both parties decided to put this above politics and committed to the budgeted funding, so residents know this important work will be done."
Cr Tony Stevenson, Vincent, Oscar, Alba Aquilina, Natalia, Lexi and Fiona McAllister on an unsealed road in Yarra Glen, next to Yarra Glen Primary School and a preschool.
O'Shannassy Ward Councillor, Jim Child, said he was pleased to see the parties commit to the funding, giving certainty for residents on roads such as Cavanagh Road that their roads would be sealed.
"This is great news for so many of our residents," Cr Child said.
"Families at Millwarra Primary School know how needed these upgrades are, and I'm pleased that this is locked in and will become a reality."
Billanook Ward Councillor, Tim Heenan, said that Council had an enormous task ahead to begin sealing priority roads in coming years.
"We'll see how this money can be spent on some dangerous, antiquated, outdated roads that we inherited when all four Councils came together all those years ago," Cr Heenan said.
"Our annual Roads to Recovery funding has been fantastic, but rather than have a small piece of the federal funding cake, we can have the whole cake shop, so-to-speak.
"We'll make good use of this funding to enhance and make better the roads we have in the Shire."
Cr Tim Heenan on Joy Avenue, which runs next to Joy Avenue Preschool.
Cr Stevenson said that Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shire had a massive unsealed road network, which in many areas has existed for more than 100 years.
“Residential development occurred at a time when our regions were considered country Victoria, however with the expansion of Melbourne, these areas are now very much part of Melbourne’s metropolitan area,” Cr Stevenson said.
“Our residents are demanding proper levels of infrastructure to access their properties, and rightly so. They want roads that are safe, without the problems of dust, potholes and poor drainage management.
“This funding announcement is very welcome news. This funding will enable us to roll out a 10-year road construction program, which might otherwise have taken 60 or more years to complete.
This Federal Government funding will significantly accelerate road sealing, delivering safer roads sooner to thousands of families.”
Cr Jim Child and Mayor Tony Stevenson with Millgrove residents.
Cardinia Shire Deputy Mayor Councillor Collin Ross said the announcement came at a time when the community was recovering from bushfires in the Bunyip State Park, and highlighted the need for better roads to support emergency response.
“Our residents have been calling for road improvements to provide safer, all-weather access to their properties and community facilities. This funding will help us to deliver more, well-formed roads that will reduce the risks to drivers when visibility is poor and improve access during emergency events,” Cr Ross said.
“Cardinia Shire is also experiencing unprecedented levels of growth, with around seven families a day moving into our municipality, which is increasing demand and use of our unsealed road network,” he said.
Cr Stevenson said once the funding was available, Council would refine its road strategy to help prioritise roads that would be treated through the funding program.
“Council will be focusing on roads that have schools, pre-schools and community facilities as a starting point, followed by urban unsealed roads in towns and villages across the Yarra Ranges,” he said.
Cr Stevenson said roads in urbanised areas would be built using a special charge scheme, whereby construction would be co-funded by landowners and the Federal Government, with this funding package providing a substantial subsidy.
Landowners would have the option to finance contributions over a 10 year period, or pay up front to receive a discount.
Ari, Sarah and Loki with Mayor Tony Stevenson on Lyons Drive in Selby.
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How has this funding come about? How has this funding come about? We know that sealing unsealed roads is important for the residents that live on them, to reduce dust and improve all weather access, so we’ve been working with Cardinia Council to implement transformational improvements to our unsealed road network. Federal Government support for this program is essential, so we’re pleased that both major political parties have committed to this $300m funding. Will this funding go ahead if the Coalition isn’t returned to Government? Will this funding go ahead if the Coalition isn’t returned to Government? Yes. This funding has been guaranteed by both the Coalition and Labor. This project will help 10,000 families in Yarra Ranges to get their roads sealed in the next 10 years, which will be a great result for the municipality. Why is there a co-payment to seal unsealed roads if the Federal Government is providing money? Why is there a co-payment to seal unsealed roads if the Federal Government is providing money? Over the past 25 years Council has partnered with landowners to seal over 200kms of unmade roads as special charge schemes, with owner contributions of up to $15,000. Because of the Federal Government funding, owners will be provided with a lower Special Charge Scheme rate than has been required from owners in the past. This rate will be determined by Council and will likely be consistent for owners in all of the roads that are improved under this program. Using the Federal Government’s money in a co-payment system with landowners means that we will be able to seal significantly more unsealed roads across Yarra Ranges –up to 250km of roads. Without this co-payment it is likely that over 50kms of roads would miss out on this opportunity. We estimate that about 10,000 Yarra Ranges families will benefit from the road sealing works when they’re completed. There will of course be many roads across the municipality that will not be prioritised due to the limited amount of funding available, and so for residents of roads that are not a part of the federally-funded program, Council’s normal Special Charge Scheme policy will apply. This means the cost of sealing the individual road and the number of rateable properties on the road will determine the cost that owners need to contribute towards having their road made. As Council determines roads that will be prioritised for improvement under the program, along with the amount that will be sought from owners, consultation will occur with residents to seek their feedback on having their road made. This process includes a chance for landowners to make a submission or objection on the proposal. When will the works start? When will the works start? The Federal Government funding is provided through their 2019-20 Budget, which comes into effect on 1 July. We will be planning for the works and beginning to consult with landowners on priority roads, but construction cannot begin until the funding is made available. Will my road be sealed? Will my road be sealed? Council has been developing a list of priority roads to be sealed, through its road strategy. Highest on this list are unsealed roads that directly access or sit adjacent to schools, preschools and community facilities, followed by urban unsealed roads in towns. When will my road be sealed if I’m on the priority list? When will my road be sealed if I’m on the priority list? We’re expecting that it will take about 10 years to seal all of the 250km roads on our priority list. Without this Federal Government funding, working through this list would take more than 60 years. We’ll be in touch with residents on each of the roads in writing to start the process. How will we be notified about our road being sealed? How will we be notified about our road being sealed? As part of the Special Charge Scheme process, we will investigate the most appropriate construction and an estimated cost, along with any environmental, planning or maintenance issues that should arise. The results will be reported to Council, and we will then survey landowners to determine if there is support from landowners whose properties share a boundary with the works, as they would be required to contribute towards the project. We seek a high level of response to the survey, and strong support from respondents. Generally, projects only proceed where a significant majority of landowners are supportive (more than 75 per cent of owners responding, and 70 per cent in support of the project). What happens if we and our neighbors don’t want the road sealed? What happens if we and our neighbors don’t want the road sealed? The process of identifying landowner support is only the first stage of a Special Charge Scheme. The formal statutory process of the Local Government Act 1989 provides opportunity for landowners to make submissions or objections where a landowner has issues associated with the proposal. Formal notices are provided to all landowners at the start of the statutory process. At this time, landowners may make a written submission or objection to Council. Those making submission may appear before Council to be heard in support of their submission. Following consideration of any submissions received, Council will then determine whether to proceed with the special charge. All landowners are further notified of Council's decision. If Council resolves to proceed with the special charge, a person may then apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a review of Council’s decision. At the time of implementing a special charge, detailed information is provided to landowners of their rights to object and with whom to lodge their objection. How do I pay my contribution? How do I pay my contribution? Landowners can pay their contribution over a number of years (specified at the time of the declaration of your special charge scheme) and repaid in the same way you pay your annual rates. Financing costs, similar to home loan interest rates, are added to your charge. This is determined following advice from Council’s financial institution. The interest rate is fixed for the period of the special charge. Alternatively, you can pay the special charge as a lump sum payment – in this case the total charge (which does not include financing costs) must be paid by the date your annual rates are due. What happens if I can’t afford the co-payment? What happens if I can’t afford the co-payment? If you are unable to make your payments on time or at all, you may be eligible for consideration under Council’s Rate Recovery and Financial Hardship Policy. Further details in relation to the policy can be found at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/financialhardship or by contacting Council’s Rate Department on 1300 368 333. For more information about Council’s Special Charge Schemes, including more Frequently Asked Questions, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/specialchargescheme