Belgrave boost praised

By Ed Merrison
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges $1m budget boost for Belgrave has been described as a move in the right direction, but prominent townspeople say there is still plenty of work to do.
Works in and around the town include the completion of streetscape works on the main street, improvements to the pavilion and oval at the Belgrave Recreation Reserve, various road and drainage projects and improvements to parks and trails such as Birdsland Reserve, the Belgrave Rail Trail and Lovers Walk.
Belgrave Traders Association (BTA) secretary Jean McLennan said it was natural for residents to want more but they had to be mindful that the shire had a limited budget.
“Any dollar spent is a move in the right direction.
“There’s a lot more work to do, but anything committed to helping Belgrave is a positive thing,” she said.
Ms McLennan said was pleased a vision for the future was emerging following discussions between traders, the shire and Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn.
“One of the things that has always been a concern to the traders is having a little more foresight than next week.
“We’ve spoken to the shire and said let’s have a continuity of the feel and flavour we want to develop for Belgrave, and I think that’s a big step forward,” she said.
Belgrave Region Action Group president Ian Warburton said the traders and BRAG members had a strong will to get things done.
However, Mr Warburton felt not enough was being done and changes in the town were happening too slowly.
“It’s sort of stagnated and we’ve got to get it going again. It’s happening but it’s not quick enough.
“The place has to be cleaned up. You go to places like Daylesford and it’s all cleaned up and looks fantastic.
“To attract tourists and get people back into the town, that’s what needs to be done,” he said.
Both Mr Warburton and Ms McLennan said it was important that representatives from all sectors of the community contributed their ideas to developments in Belgrave.
Their comments came in response to a shire statement calling Belgrave a “big winner in the shire’s capital works budget”, with more than $1.1 million allocated to a range of projects.
Cr Dunn said the works would add new life to Belgrave but warned that factors such as budget constraints, community consultation and the need for the town to keep functioning meant change would take time.
Describing Belgrave as an eclectic town with people of diverse backgrounds, Cr Dunn said it was important that Belgrave evolve in a manner agreeable to everyone.
“The direction of Belgrave is an interesting one. It is becoming a contemporary and vibrant town and these works are part of that journey,” she said.