Residents along Arthurs Road, Chum Creek may soon see long-awaited improvements to their local road.
A motion to upgrade the road through levying a Special Charge was carried unanimously at the Yarra Ranges Council’s Tuesday meeting on 14 October.
The notion of upgrading Arthurs Road began in 2020 when residents petitioned the Yarra Ranges Council to upgrade the road, which is currently unsealed.
Following a 2021 survey that showed strong community support, the project was added to the council’s 10-year Capital Expenditure Program. Detailed design and drainage planning have since been completed, and the project is now ready to proceed in the 2025/26 financial year.
A Special Charge is a specific fee that the Council can elicit from landowners whose properties directly benefit from an improvement project.
Special Charges allow the cost of works to be shared between the local government and the affected landowners, rather than being paid entirely from Council rates.
In this case, under the Local Government Act, the council can only apply this Special Charge to properties along or accessing Arthurs Road.
The estimated cost of the Arthurs Road project is $503,903. The council will contribute approximately 38 per cent of the total, while landowners will contribute 62 per cent.
Each landowner’s contribution is proposed to be approximately $14,200 per property, consistent with estimates provided during the consultation period.
The Council will also cover an additional share to offset cost increases since the project was first discussed.
Landowners have the option of paying their $14,200 in a lump sum interest-free by 15 February, 2027, or via instalments over a ten-year period from 2026-36 with interest charged at 4.24 per cent per annum.
The Arthurs Road works will include 500 metres of new asphalt pavement, improved drainage, and upgraded driveways. The surface will be sealed with the purpose of reducing dust, increasing road safety and creating better access for residents and service vehicles.
Written submissions can be sent in within 28 days of the council’s issuance of public notice of its intent to declare the Special Charge.
A meeting will be held on 9 December, 2025 wherein the council will decide whether to adopt, amend or abandon the scheme. Affected landowners may also request to speak at this meeting.
If adopted, the Special Charge will take effect from 1 July, 2026 and remain in force until 30 June, 2036, or until fully paid.
