THE Mount Beauty region has received significant financial windfalls from the Victorian government’s regional growth fund.
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Most of the money is allocated to the retail and recreational area with the improvements designed to enhance the town’s rating as a popular tourist destination.
An investment of $760,000 will be made to upgrade parkland, the foreshore area around the town’s pondage, barbecue and picnic fac-ilities and also a playground area.
It has been described as “a great shot in the arm for Mount Beauty” by Alpine Council mayor Peter Roper.
Cr Roper said the works would improve the community’s infrastructure, with a total of $875,000 being given to the town’s Progressing Place Project.
The member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, ann-ounced the funding and said the town’s memorial park and community centre open space will be enhanced with new plantings, paving and furniture.
“This project will be a great benefit for locals and the many tourists who visit Mount Beauty each and every year, helping to build on its reputation as one of the best holiday destinations in Victoria,” Dr Sykes said.
“Tourism is a signif- icant driver for the Victorian economy, particularly for the food and accommodation services who rely on visitors to the region.”
Dr Sykes said the funding partners are Alpine Council, which will contribute $100,000 and $15,000 coming from Alpine Health.
He said the Progressing Place Project would be completed by May 2016.
The regional growth fund has provided more than $400 million throughout Victoria with $11 million for 35 projects in the Alpine Council area.
Dr Sykes said funding provided for Mount Beauty included $50,000 for the soccer club, $112,000 for the river walk, $25,000 for the council to develop an urban design strategy and $30,000 for the tennis court redevelopment.
There are further grants of $24,000 for a CFA upgrade, $60,000 for the men’s shed and $300,000 to restore the Great Alpine Valleys River Walk including along the Kiewa River at Mount Beauty.
A further $54,000 has been provided for a new netball court at the Dederang-Mt Beauty Football and Netball Club.