Money pours in for projects

A long-term project to establish the region as a national off-road cycling-adventure destination has taken a major step forward on the back of significant State Government funding.

The government, which this week announced a Building Works program to help stimulate economic recovery, will provide $2.7-million for a 50-kilometre Ararat Regional Park Mountain Bike Trails project.

The mountain-bike project is part of a broader Grampians 10-year cycling masterplan stretching from Bacchus Marsh to the South Australian border.

Wimmera Development Association developed the cycling trails business and masterplan, which involves 11 municipal councils, in 2018.

Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said the council was pleased to hear it would receive the money to start building the trails in Ararat Hills Regional Park.

He said the council would $300,000 to the project.

“The council has been working on the Ararat Regional Park Mountain Bike Trails project for several years and had applied for State Government funding late last year,” he said.

“It’s fantastic the funding has been approved as part of the government’s $2.7-billion Building Works package.

“The project will not only provide jobs to local people during the coronavirus recovery phase, but will provide a fantastic tourism asset for many years to come.”

Ararat Primary School has also had financial success under the building program, with the government providing an additional $495,000 to the $55,000 allocated in its 2019-20 budget.

The school money will go towards transforming sporting facilities and upgrading a sports oval and courts.

The government has also announced significant funding for a Horsham court development and Buloke Shire revitalisation projects.

The government has allocated $950,000 to improve safety and security at Horsham court and $4-million to enhance streetscapes and town entrances to Donald, Charlton, Birchip, Sea Lake and Wycheproof. contribute