Canberra roads cash

By TANIA MARTIN
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has announced it will be receiving an extra $5.9 million from the Roads to Recovery program.
The cash comes following the Federal Government announcement last year that it would be extending the program.
The four year program, which improves transport and infrastructure across Australia, began in 2000.
Then the government allocated $1.2 billion and last year Canberra said it would extend the scheme to give out another $2 billion over an extra four years.
Shire director of environment and engineering Simon Thomas said the shire had received $6.45 million during the initial program.
Mr Thomas said the shire is set to receive $5.9 million over the next four years for the program, which equates to just under $1.5 million per year.
But, he said this figure was more than $500,000 less than was awarded for the initial funding program.
Mr Thomas said the program for 200506 would see the upgrade of roads in Mt Evelyn, Silvan, Healesville, Wandin North, and Selby.
However, he said it was proposed that community consultation was needed as a number of the roads would be partly funded through a Special Charge Scheme, which means some of the projects will be paid for by the council and part by nearby landowners.