Weddin Shire Council has voted to re-allocate $100,000 in funds originally earmarked for community events and a heritage sign project towards construction of a walking and cycling track in Grenfell.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council received the funds, as part of Drought Communities Project funding.
The decision to divert the funding was made at Weddin Shire Council's August meeting following a report from council's Corporate Services Director, Lachlan Gibson.
"Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is no longer feasible to deliver the large community events originally proposed," Mr Gibson reported.
"In addition, it has not been possible to secure two quotes for the heritage signs project; sign writers are not prepared to quote on the project until it is fully scoped.
"It is unlikely this is achievable in time to meet the December deadline of the funding program.
"Unless Council wishes to return $90,000 to the Commonwealth, it needs to propose an alternative project and it needs to prepare and submit a request to alter the funding agreement, as soon as possible," he said.
Mr Gibson proposed a $10,000 vintage sign project already scoped is delivered, and that an alternative project to the value of $90,000 be delivered with the outstanding funds.
"A project identified in the draft Destination Management Plan is a 1.57km shared walking and cycling gravel path, approximately 2.5 meters wide," Mr Gibson said in regards to possible use of the funding.
The proposed path is one Mr Gibson believes would increase Grenfell's attractiveness to visitors, starting adjacent to West Street at the Railway Station, passing the Grenfell Commodities Silo mural and then following the railway corridor from South Street to Henry Lawson Way, ending near Lawson Oval and Henry Lawson's Birthplace.
"There is already a 'desire line' along this alignment, indicating community use of the track," Mr Gibson reported.
"The project will formalise the desire line with an all-weather surface, maintained to a standard which allows promotion to the public."
Council's Engineering Department have scoped the cycling and walking path and indicate it can be completed by December 31, 2020 for $94,257.32.
Council will however need to go to the market to engage a contractor per the guidelines for the Drought Communities stimulus funding.
Mr Gibson said the project would not only deliver a new tourism attraction to Grenfell, it would also contribute several other benefits including: improved amenity at the Railway Station precinct; improved health and wellbeing outcomes for the residential population by providing improved access to the gym equipment at Lawson Oval and; increased visibility of the Landcare project at Vaughan's Dam.
"Development of a new walking and cycling track presents an opportunity to deliver many benefits to the Weddin Shire including addressing multiple challenges currently being encountered," he said.
To watch the full video of Weddin Shire Council's August meeting jump online and go to the Weddin Shire Council Facebook page.