Council
13 June, 2024
Footpaths continue to come in under budget
CORANGAMITE Shire Council has delivered another footpath under budget in Terang.
Corangamite Shire councillors voted unanimously at last month’s Ordinary Meeting of Council to an alteration of the Special Charge Scheme, which passed the savings on to residents.
Works were recently completed on the installation of the new concrete footpath on the eastern side of Cameron Street, which runs from Neil Avenue to McWilliam Street.
The works were originally estimated to cost $94,643 but were delivered for just $79,805.
The total estimated cost to property owners had stood at $23,661, but under the finalised Special Charge Scheme will fall to $19,951.
The alteration to the Special Charge Scheme comes one month after councillors praised the ongoing trend of the works and services team showing a proclivity for delivering footpath projects under budget.
As mover of the motion Cr Geraldine Conheady reiterated her appreciation for manager assets planning John Kelly in the delivery of works.
“John Kelly continues to impress with his efficiency, it’s paid off again with his preparation and his calculations regarding costing relating to parts,” she said.
“It’s very pleasing to be able to return some of that expense to the adjoining property owners.
“In addition to that I’ll say that this path has been such a success in Terang.
“I’ve just had so much positive feedback about it, and everyone’s loving it.”
The Cameron Street works were originally deemed to be a high community benefit with improved access for the community walking along the street for physical exercise.
Cr Ruth Gstrein, who seconded the motion, said council had seen during site visits the heightened safety for pedestrians.
“When we did the site visit before the path was put in place we were seeing people walking along Cameron Street in the dark, basically,” she said.
“It’s certainly much safer that they’re off the roads.”
Cr Gstrein said site visits also brought issues surrounding drainage on the street to council’s attention.
“It was an opportunity for the people who live in Cameron Street to point out some issues that they had with drainage, and as a result of that there has been quite significant drainage works carried out as well as the footpath,” she said.
“I think we also did that in Tate Street in Camperdown when we did a site visit there, so it’s a good opportunity for councillors to attend those site meetings and have officers there and get can get smaller problems nipped in the bud before they become major problems.
“I congratulate Mr Kelly, who never fails to impress with his estimation of Special Charge Schemes.”