McFarlane Road Funding Successful

Published on 04 August 2017

A $125,000 project to upgrade 800 metres of the northern end of McFarlane Road in Lake Charm will occur thanks to $83,000 in funding from the State Government.

Director Infrastructure and Development Geoff Rollinson said that heavy transport vehicles are playing an increasing role in the supply chain for grain, livestock, horticulture and stock feed.

“The upgrade of McFarlane Road will have a stronger pavement which will enable an all-weather access road with less maintenance cost and greater flexibility for producers to achieve better prices by not being dictated by weather conditions and resulting road conditions,” Mr Rollinson explains.

The project will be co-funded by all levels of government, including $32,000 from the Commonwealth Roads to Recovery program, $83,000 from the State Government through the Local Roads to Market Program and Gannawarra Shire Council is contributing $10,000 towards this project.

“The agriculture industry is the largest employer in the Gannawarra Shire, employing around 25% of the local workforce. Council is committed to ensuring that infrastructure is in place that provides productivity and efficiencies that support export driven markets and will strengthen the economic benefits of the local industry sector,” Mr Rollinson said.

Council’s Manager Economic Development Roger Griffiths said that Kilter Rural was a great example of an agricultural initiative that has brought a much-welcomed transformation of the Kerang Lakes area.

The project aligns with the Local Roads to Market program due to the future planned expansion of irrigated agriculture systems, which would see B-Double movements increase dramatically over the next 5 years.

Works are expected to commence in October 2017.

For more information please contact Council on 5450 9333 or visit council’s website www.gsc.vic.gov.au

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