By Callum Ludwig
The Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) has celebrated great success this month with the completion of Stage One of the Millgrove River Road Community Walking Track.
It’s been a long time coming, first proposed in May 2015 and initial funding efforts were rejected.
MRAG President Maureen Halit said they were immensely disappointed when they were first rejected in the Pick My Project Program in 2018 after putting in a huge effort.
“We tried again however and were successful in getting a $192,781 grant to commence this trial and of course because of Covid and red tape it was held back but we now have an amazing walking trail,” she said.
“We really wanted to do it as a community and already it’s been a fantastic asset and very well utilised by school children, cyclists, young families and the elderly.”
The project initially received 155 votes when it was unsuccessful in securing funding from Pick My Project but was included in the grants for projects from the Department of Treasury and Finance’s 2018-19 Community Support Fund and the delivery was supported by Yarra Ranges Council.
Ms Halit said the group has such an immense sense of pride around the project.
“People tell us all the time we do a fantastic job and we’re really proud but we’ve got more to do yet. We’ve just got a grant for picnic tables and signage, and we’ve got to do some more to the car park,” she said.
“Hopefully, in years to come, we’ll be able to extend it the full length of River Road. The river is a very important part of our community and a great asset to us so we need to maintain it, work on it and keep it healthy along with the community.”
Further plans for the track also include an observation viewing deck and an extension to Dee Road Bridge to provide a safe crossing that makes a loop with the existing Dee Road Walking Track.
