By Corey Everitt
Cardinia Shire Council is determined to seal what it can of the roads in the hills after the abrupt departure of federal funding.
The council has earmarked $14 million for the so-called Sealing the Hills program in its draft 2023-24 draft budget that will go towards paving some of the dirt roads in Gembrook, Emerald, Cockatoo and surrounds.
The Sealing the Hills program was created in 2019 following joint advocacy from Cardinia Shire Council and Yarra Ranges Council, where the Federal Government, respective councils and residents would all put up cash to seal roads in the Dandenong Ranges.
But it was confirmed in January this year that the Federal Government’s omission of the program in the budget was a cut to the program.
A total of $150m was promised to Cardinia Shire Council – only $41m was received, making a funding cut of $109m.
Despite this, the council is still committed to sealing what roads they can with the money they received.
“Unfortunately, it is now not possible for council to seal and deliver over 130 roads in the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding townships with the current funding sources,” a spokesperson for Cardinia Shire Council said.
“A total of 38 roads across four townships will now be sealed under the revised Sealing the Hills program.”
In the council’s draft budget for 2023-24, $14m is allocated for Sealing the Hills – with an additional $2.3 million in carry over – while another $14m is projected for 2024-25.
There are nine current projects, some covering multiple roads, either in construction or set to begin construction, with four of them being in Cockatoo, two in Gembrook, two in Emerald and one in Upper Beaconsfield:
* Caroline Avenue catchment, First Grenville catchment, Station-Baker-Glen catchment, Naughton catchment are set for the Cockatoo area.
* Innes Rd and Russell-Blackwood catchment for Gembrook.
* Christians Avenue package and Old Gembrook package in Emerald.
* Stoney Creek package in Upper Beaconsfield.
These are the projects confirmed to be in the works, more may come.
The council is delivering this without altering the funding guidelines set in the original project, with resident contributions still capped at $7000.
While advocating for the funding that was promised by the Federal Government is still a priority.
“The council is continuing to prioritise improving our road network, building better local roads, and advocating for future funding to seal these roads within the hills,” the council spokesperson said.
For more information, visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/sealingthehills
