Contract awarded for Erica-Rawson trail

An intertown trail between Erica and Rawson is set to be constructed after Baw Baw Shire accepted a tender for the project.

Ace Earthmoving Pty Ltd was awarded the $836,671 contract.

The project is being funded through the federal government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Project.

The trail was identified as a priority in council’s Paths and Trails Strategy.

The strategy addressed the demand for connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists to key public points of interest in the shire, as well as the demand for path and trail connections between townships.

The project was included as a late addition to the 2020-21 budget after council received a number of submissions from residents.

Both asphalt and granitic sand surface options were priced in the tenders.

A report to council said there were different views in the community about the preferred path surface.

Costings presented to council revealed a $200,000 difference between the two options, with asphalt costing $836,671 and granite costing $636,677.

Council officers consulted with a range of key stakeholders in considering the best surface and recommended the path has an asphalt wearing surface.

A budget shortfall of $51,810 will be met by projected savings from council’s McCarthy Crt upgrade, which also was funded under the federal government’s LRCIP.

A cultural heritage management plan was required for the path under the Aboriginal Heritage Act (2006) because it is classified as a high impact activity in an area of cultural heritage sensitivity.

Works on site are expected to be completed by December 2021.

Cr Darren Wallace said he already thought of Erica and Rawson as twin towns so linking them will enhance that appeal.

He said council’s paths and trails strategy was one of the major successes of council over the past four years.

“This has been called for by locals for a long time,” he said.

Cr Wallace was concerned council received only two tenderers for the project.

“Are we getting value for money. With a $115,000 variation between the two tenders are we getting value.

“I’d prefer more than two tenders but residents of Erica and Rawson have waited long enough for this project,” he said.

Cr Michael Leaney said local residents had waited a long time for this to be constructed.

He said it was pleasing the project wasn’t coming out of ratepayers funds, with the federal government funding the project.

Mayor Danny Goss declared a conflict of interest in the matter.