Bass Coast Shire Council is excited to welcome $2 million from the State Government to help make Wonthaggi an even better place for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas visited Wonthaggi today (Thursday, 13 May) to announce a grant of $2 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund - Stimulus Round. This funding will support the $1 million that Council will allocate to be used to deliver projects designed to improve Wonthaggi's streetscapes, as part of the Wonthaggi Activity Centre Plan.
This announcement reflects Council's focus on advocacy and last year's successful launch of Wonthaggi Opportunity Unlocked. Recently adopted by Council, the Wonthaggi Activity Centre Plan provides strategic and overarching guidance for the development of Wonthaggi over the next 20 years. This funding will help revitalise Wonthaggi and cement its position as a regional centre for Bass Coast.
The funding will be used to enhance the safety, functionality and presentation of McBride Avenue, a key amenity and food and entertainment corridor. It will also allow for further streetscape works, including landscaping, street furniture, wayfinding signage and art installations. Pedestrian safety works will also be completed, such as improvements to the pedestrian network within the CBD, street improvements including upgrading the Biggs Drive and Murray Street intersection and further developing Graham Street as a freight route.
Another project identified by the Activity Centre Plan that will be made possible with this funding is the continued upgrade of Apex Park, to improve drainage and lighting to transform it in to a year round recreational and community hub.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said the State Government's ongoing support of Bass Coast was greatly appreciated.
"This State Government investment is additional to the recent $350,000 received for the redevelopment of Guide Park and $1.4 million for the Guy Road shared path project," Cr Tessari said.
"Council is grateful to the Andrews' Government for the funding support it has provided including the $115 million for the Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment and support for the education sector including $32.7 million for the Wonthaggi Secondary School project and a commitment of $24.7 million in funding for the Bass Coast Junior Campus.
"We would like to thank the State Government for their ongoing support of the Bass Coast region," Cr Tessari concluded.
