Improving safety and upgrading existing facilities has been identified as a priority for the townships of Dean, Mollongghip and Newlyn in a new community plan.
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The Dean, Mollongghip and Newlyn Community Plan 2017 was passed at a Hepburn Shire Council meeting last week after extensive community consultation and feedback.
Hepburn Shire councillor Neil Newitt said there was a pattern to what had been identified as a priority for the three communities.
“It is around accessibility and safety, particularly with council’s advocacy to VicRoads to improve safety around the town, but also with improvements to the existing infrastructure,” Cr Newitt said.
Two priority projects identified for Newlyn were advocacy to VicRoads for turning lanes into Recreation Reserve and to connect existing walking tracks from Newlyn Primary School to the antiques shop to new growth areas.
Newlyn Community and Sporting Complex president Kevin Clohesy said it was a “great safety concern” that there was no link between new houses and existing walking tracks.
Upgrades to the Dean Community Hall and Dean Recreation Reserve were identified as priority projects for Dean. Dean Recreation Reserve president Brian Maher said compared to five years ago, the reserve was now well-used and well-known.
“From five years ago we had $20 in our account and it looked like the whole thing was going to get shut down, to the present time when we can raise money for charities, like at the sheepdog trial we raised $750 for Soldier On,” Mr Maher said.
“Dean Recreation Reserve is known state-wide now and interstate as well from some of the events we have had there like the kite festival and the sheepdog trials.”
Upgrades to the Mollongghip Community Hall were also identified as a priority project in the plan, as well as advocacy to reduce seed limits through the township and improve roads.
Mollongghip Community Hall president Noel Gregory said despite the hall being restored around 15 years ago, it was once again falling into a decrepit state.
“The weatherboards are starting to fall apart. It has got a weatherboard exterior that is effectively 100 years old,” Mr Gregory said. “The hall, apart from the CFA, is the only place in the community where functions can be held and we have community functions there on a regular basis. We have a harvest festival and a poetry slam, for example.”
Visit https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/hepburn/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Agenda-Council-Meeting-21-November-2017.pdf to see the full community plan.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
