The sealing of a Yarra Valley road will go ahead after Yarra Ranges Council declared a special charges scheme at the Tuesday 9 December council meeting.
From 8 Arthurs Road to 65 Arthurs Road in Chum Creek will be sealed through the project, having started from a landowner petition in November 2020.
Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister said this one is a good news story.
“It went into a bit of a hiatus with Covid and a range of things and certainly with the support of officers and some of the residents was reactivated probably about 12 months ago,” she said.
“We’re at the point now after surveying the residents in the statutory public notice and submission periods, that there was only one submission raising concerns.
“There has been very strong community support, particularly from a couple of individuals for a very long time, both for safety reasons but also dust with some health impacts and some houses, so it’s great to see that we’re getting to this point.”
A November 2021 survey saw 18 out of 20 landowners respond and of those 14 (78 per cent) supported the proposed Special Charge Scheme and four (22 per cent) opposed the proposal.
Only one submission was made following the Council’s decision to levy a special charges scheme in October.
“At the time of the questionnaire… I myself supported the project. I now withdraw my support due to the following reasons,” the submission reads.
“4 years have passed since the initial contact, several properties have changed owners and a review/contact may be necessary, covid lockdowns occurred… I note financial distress for myself, 12 interest rate rises over a 12-month period, cost of living has increased from 2021, energy costs are forecast to increase putting added pressure to cost of living, 4.24 per cent per annum is an estimate and is not fixed.
“In summary I believe the cost outweighs the reward.”
Yarra Ranges Council’s contribution is estimated at $161,000 (38 per cent), with landowners funding $257,304 (62 per cent) of the road construction costs while the Council will also cover the $85,660 for longitudinal drainage within the new drainage easement. The total cost of the project is estimated at $503,903 and 18 landowners will pay $17,210 in total over ten years, with two properties with less benefit paying $1033.
The council’s response to the submission said over the past four years, Council has provided regular project updates to landowners along Arthurs Road, including the most recent information on estimated costs and submission rights.
“The financing rate at the time of declaring a Special Charge (currently 4.24%) will remain unchanged for the 10-year instalment period,” it reads.
“It is acknowledged that some landowners may experience financial hardship, and the proposed contribution could add to this challenge. However, the Special Charge provides a long-term benefit to the property, not just the current owner, and is therefore apportioned based on the benefit received rather than individual circumstances.
“Landowners experiencing financial hardship may apply for assistance under Council’s Rate Recovery and Financial Hardship Policy, where options for payment will be discussed.”
