By Parker McKenzie
The three levels on government – council, state and federal – came together at the Silvan Dam lookout in Kalorama for the RidgeWalk sod-turning ceremony.
The 39 kilometres of walking track, which includes the upgrading of old walking tracks and 14km of newly-built paths, is being funded through $2 million each from Yarra Ranges Council and the Victorian State Government, and $5.8 million from the Federal Government.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child and Deputy Mayor Johanna Skelton joined Casey Federal MP Tony Smith and Monbulk State MP James Merlino to mark the beginning of construction of the RidgeWalk project.
Mayor Child said the project wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance of the two MPs.
“These two gentlemen have played such a significant role in the outcomes of the Yarra Ranges,” he said.
“They are both long-term serving politicians and James a former Yarra Ranges Councillor, and they have contributed so much to our region.”
The trails will take walkers through Mt Evelyn, Montrose, Kallorama, Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Sassafras, Ferny Creek, Upper Ferntree Gully, Belgrave, Kallista and Upwey.
Mr Smith said the RidgeWalk was an ambitious and transformative project for the area which has been a long time in the making.
“I’m very proud the Federal Government has put in nearly $6 million dollars. Sometimes we are the major funder, sometimes the state is the major funder,” he said.
“For James and I that doesn’t matter, it all just has to bolt together, so it’s a proud day.”
It will feature temporary and permanent art exhibitions and performances along the track, with a focus on Indigenous art.
Mr Merlino said for the three levels of government to partner for a project like the RidgeWalk was a great legacy for the community.
“I’ve really appreciated the work we’ve been able to do over the last couple of decades now,” Mr Merlino said.
“Council has really driven the Yarra Valley and RidgeWalk trail projects.”
Of the $5.8 million in funding from the Federal Government, $2.3 million came from Community Development Grants and $3.5 million from the Regional Growth Fund. The $2 million is State Government funding was supplied from the Growing Suburbs Fund.
Yarra Ranges Council is hoping the new projects will bring an extra 750,000 annual visitors to the region and add $80 million to the local economy, generating 535 jobs.
The project is expected to be completed in March 2023.
