By KATH GANNAWAY
IN A three-hour sweep of the Yarra Valley today the Coalition Government has pledged $5.25 million for projects in Warburton, Healesville and Yering – if re-elected in November.
Premier Dr Denis Napthine was joined by sitting Liberal MP and candidate for Eildon Cindy McLeish, National Party candidate for Eildon and Yarra Ranges councillor Jim Child, and Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe, as the suite of sweeteners was revealed.
The tour started at Warburton where Dr Napthine, along with Environment Minister Ryan Smith, pledged $3.25 million for the Warburton Mountain Bike Trail.
At Healesville fire station CFA officials and volunteers gathered to learn that a new station was on offer with $1.75 million allocated for the acquisition of land and construction.
There was good news too for the Yarra Valley’s equestrians when Dr Napthine visited the Lilydale and Yarra Glen Hunt Club to announce a $250,000 grant towards stage one of the proposed Yarra Valley Equestrian Park.
Dr Napthine said the Warburton Mountain Bike Trail would create up to 175 jobs, inject up to an estimated $23 million into the local economy and attract 130,000 new visitors to Warburton each year.
Cr Child thanked the local and mountain biking community members, as well as the council officers, who he said had got right behind the project.
“This project will deliver great economic returns to Yarra Ranges,” he said.
If the government is re-elected, it was forecast that the trail would be completed in just over a year’s time.
The announcement was welcome news for Healesville CFA with captain Graeme Bates saying the brigade has been feeling the squeeze in trying to accommodate trucks, volunteers and limited parking at its more than 30-year-old building.
CFA Executive Director Business Services Michael Wootten said the CFA had done some estimates in relation to land prices and size and the cost of building a new station and was confident the $1.75 million would be sufficient to deliver what was needed.
Ms McLeish said she had been talking with the brigade since the beginning of this year about the need for an upgrade.
“This is a significant investment in the Yarra Ranges and ensures the brigade is equipped to serve the region for many more years to come,” she said.
The Yarra Valley Equestrian Park development brings together Lilydale and District Horse and Pony Club, Yarra Glen and Lilydale Horse Riding Club, Yarra Valley Jump Club and Yarra Valley Dressage Club to develop the 90-acre Yarra Glen and Lilydale Hunt Club property into a major equestrian centre.
The proposal is to develop the centre in four stages at a total cost of $3 million.
Stage one includes an all-weather arena, horse day yards and equipment sheds at a cost of $588,000.
The $250,000 grant would go towards stage one.
Dr Napthine said the grant would help see the dream become a reality.
“The Yarra Valley has one of the highest levels of participation in equestrian activities in Victoria, but local clubs are constrained by their existing facilities,” he said.
He said the development of the YVEP would be a major fillip to all the participating clubs and their 800 members.
Mrs Fyffe congratulated the YVEG on the proposal.
“The clubs have worked closely and co-operatively to achieve the shared goal of what will be a fantastic new facility she said.
YVEG president Clint Rose said the project was something the clubs had been dreaming of and something that would bring all the clubs together and facilitate the growth of equestrian sports.
The State Government election is on 29 November.
