Council in cash splash

YARRA Ranges Council has unveiled its multi-million dollar plan for the year ahead.
A $38 million capital works program was last week presented as part of the shire’s $134 million draft 2010-11 budget.
“Our capital works program has never been more extensive,” Mayor Len Cox said.
“Our spending will ensure council’s assets are preserved, maintained and upgraded to provide for our community into the future.”
Upwey’s Wright Avenue and Belgrave’s Kaola Street scored $91,000 and $90,000 worth of drainage improvements.
Bonham Road in The Patch ($85,500), Ropley Grange in Upwey ($75,000), Upwey’s Dealbata Road ($35,000) and Railway Place in Belgrave ($15,000) are also set for drain upgrades.
The shire will spend $130,000 on footpaths between Monbulk Road and Prices Road in Monbulk and Belgrave Gembrook Road and Glen Harrow Heights Road in Belgrave. A new $105,000 footpath is also earmarked for Old Belgrave Road.
There was $216,300 set aside for the Yarra Ranges Civic Centre Upgrade, $100,000 for off street parking on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road in Sassafras, and $17,000 for a playground fence at Belgrave Lake. Township improvements in Olinda, Mt Dandenong, Sassafras and Kalorama, focussed on footpaths to improve safe walking links, scored $200,000 in the 2010-11 budget, and a further $615,000 over the following two years.
Stage three of Monbulk township improvements received $150,000. Master plans for Karwarra Australian Plant Garden in Kalorama ($20,000) and Olinda Recreation Reserve ($25,688) also won funding.
More than $50,000 was allocated to develop a business case for a possible Belgrave community hub. – Casey Neill