Rudd funds finally flow into the Hills

By Tania Martin
HILLS projects will now share in a $500,000 cash injection following the release of the Federal Governments’ stimulus money.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges last week received approval for more than 23 projects.
It will receive a shire-wide cash windfall of $1.7 million under the initiative which aims to stimulate growth and the economy.
The announcement comes just four weeks after the council called for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to hurry-up and deliver the promised cash, announced last November.
The Mail reported in its 10 March edition that the council had been left waiting for the money to arrive, but at the time a government spokeswoman said it was all a misunderstanding.
She said the department had been trying to contact the council to see if they wanted to change their nominated projects following the Black Saturday fires.
Mayor Len Cox said the council was now delighted to get the final approval.
“We have put a lot of time and effort into ensuring we are in a position to be able to expedite a host of community based projects that will directly benefit many of our towns and suburbs and will play a role in helping stimulate the local economy,” he said.
More than $202,000 will be spent on installing outdoor fitness equipment at sporting grounds Monbulk, Belgrave and at Thompson Reserve in Upwey.
A further $65,000 will go towards improving heating and cooling at the Olinda Community House and $45,000 will be spent on and environmental education centre at Birdsland Reserve.
Shire CEO Glenn Patterson said the cash would give the shire a significant boost towards drought proofing a number of sporting grounds.
He said this would ensure sporting teams and residents would be able to use their local grounds.
Other projects include improvements to community and cultural facilities, better disability access and the installation of outdoor fitness equipment at a number of recreation reserves.
“The projects are about supporting our communities to take part in a range of activities, whether they are sporting, cultural or community based,” Mr Patterson said.