Cyclists in Indigo Shire will be the winners after money was left over from a failed council bid for a federal grant targeted at Chiltern.
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The council had allocated $470,000 in its budget for the Chiltern Placemaking Project, which had been dependent on a successful application to the government’s building better regions fund.
It will now spend $250,000 of that money to create an underpass for a new rail trail at the intersection of Beechworth-Wodonga and Yackandandah roads.
Councillors at this week’s meeting decided the best move was to construct the underpass at the same time VicRoads installs a roundabout at the nearby intersection.
Cr James Trenery said the decision would save both the council and state government money.
The council estimated the underpass would cost an extra $200,000 if not combined with the roundabout construction, which was scheduled to begin in 2018 after a contract is awarded in October.
“Council officers have worked closely with VicRoads to ensure that the future rail trail can be accommodated in any of their works,” the council report stated.
“The impact to road users on major works being undertaken will be quite disruptive. Having the underpass works completed as part of the package and at the same time as the roundabout construction will minimise unnecessary further disruption.”
Cr Larry Goldworthy also endorsed reallocating the money.
“It is exciting to get closer to having a trail built and it is common sense to work with VicRoads on this one,” he said.
The motion was passed unanimously.
The rail trail will be built from Beechworth to Yackandandah, then onto Osbornes Flat and is also planned to feature rock-wall climbing, artworks and pop-up cafes.
