By KATH GANNAWAY
THE Millgrove Resident’s Action Group (MRAG) has welcomed the announcement of a new footpath for the town.
Councillor Jim Child attended the group’s 23 March meeting to make the announcement and to congratulate them on the Millgrove Community Plan they put together in 2015.
MRAG Secretary, Bob Lillie, said the plan involved a significant proportion of the community and clearly sets out the community’s priorities and aspirations which includes new footpaths and trails.
He said Cr Child advised the meeting that Yarra Ranges Council has spent around $800,000 on footpaths in the O’Shannassy Ward, including several new paths in Millgrove.
“We were pleased to hear that the Council values community input into the planning and siting of new paths which benefit the community as a whole,” Mr Lillie said.
A new footpath will be built during the 2016/17 financial year connecting the Millgrove shops to Cavanagh Road near the primary school.
Mr Lillie said there had been an informal pathway there for many years but it would now be constructed to allow all weather use suitable for everyone.
“It was good to hear from Cr Child that MRAG’s advice regarding the appropriate design and type of footpath, and taking into account environmental considerations along with accessibility for pedestrians of all abilities, was taken on board,” Mr Lillie said.
Cr Child thanked local property owner, Brian Halit for providing a 99-year lease over part of the land to accommodate the footpath.
MRAG President, Maureen Halit thanked Cr Child and Yarra Ranges Council for responding positively to the project which she said featured prominently in the Millgrove Community Plan.
