By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
THE Warburton Mountain Bike Hub has been knocked back for funding in the first round of the State Government’s Interface Growth Fund.
The $3 million application for the Warburton Mountain Bike Hub was not supported in the first round of funding announced recently.
Yarra Ranges Cr Jim Child said he was very disappointed in the decision to overlook funding for this project.
I hope the government reconsiders the decision they have made,” he said.
“I look at the applications that have been approved and I go back to ours and I cannot see one that provides 175 jobs and a return of $23.67m back to the community.”
Yarra Ranges Mayor Maria McCarthy said while it was a disappointing setback, council would not give up on acquiring funding for the project.
“Council acknowledges the Upper Yarra community is disappointed,” Cr McCarthy said.
“The Upper Yarra community and many interest groups are passionate about the Warburton Mountain Bike Hub and the significant economic and tourism benefits it will bring to their region.
“Council looks forward to participating in round two of funding applications the state proposes for the allocation of the approximately $10 million of remaining funds.”
Cr Child said the Warburton Mountain Bike Hub was still a high priority project for the council and he would continue to lobby for it to be built.
“We are sitting with this and it’s still our number one project,” he said.
“It is a shovel-ready project and has the best return to community and we will continue on that trail.”
“Whether through federal or state funding, we are committed as far as the council contribution of $500,000 towards this project and we will seek whatever avenues we can get to get this funding.”
The projects council applied for that were knocked back this round are development of the Montrose Town Centre, Don Road Sports Pavilion and the Mount Evelyn Regional Athletics Facility Spectator Shelter.
Projects council applied for that were approved in this round of funding are the Lillydale Lake Regional Playground and Belgrave Community Hub.
