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$140,000 To Improve Boolarra¡¦S Railway Park

Boolarra Rail Trail

• Victorian Coalition Government will provide $140,000 from the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund to upgrade and beautify Railway Park in Boolarra

By Russell Northe - 30th July 2014 - Back to News

„h The $210,000 project will attract more visitors to the park, which is at the head of the Grand Ridge Rail Trail

„h The Regional Growth Fund has delivered more than $400 million, generating well over $1.6 billion of total investment across almost 1500 projects

The Victorian Government is investing $140,000 from the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund in a project to upgrade and beautify the Railway Park in Boolarra.

Member for Morwell Russell Northe said the project would include universal design features, enhance the aesthetics of the area, and attract further visitors to the area.

¡§Boolarra Park is strategically positioned at the head of the Grand Ridge Rail Trail and is very popular with tourists and cyclists,¡¨ Mr Northe said.

¡§A Latrobe University study found that rail trails contribute up to $142 per visitor to the local economy and with the Grand Ridge Rail Trail attracting up to 1500 visitors a year, upgrading Railway Park should attract even more users.

¡§The project involves landscaping, building a more functional path network for greater accessibility, upgrading existing park furniture and facilities, painting existing structures and installing new screens, renewing and adding new park furniture including bicycle infrastructure, and public art.

¡§The works will be carried out by contractors and suppliers appointed by Latrobe City Council, creating local jobs.¡¨

Member for Eastern Victoria Region Danny O¡¦Brien said both tourists and local residents would benefit from the project.

¡§Boolarra is a beautiful scenic part of Gippsland and these upgrades will help further enhance the park and tourism experience for people visiting and living in our region,¡¨ Mr O¡¦Brien said.

The Victorian Government funding towards the $210,000 Railway Park Boolarra Upgrades and Beautification project will be provided through the Regional Growth Fund to Latrobe City Council, which will contribute $70,000.

¡§The Regional Growth Fund is investing in community-led projects to strategically drive jobs, investment and innovation in rural and regional Victoria,¡¨ Mr O¡¦Brien said.

¡§Since it was established in 2011, the Regional Growth Fund has delivered more than $400 million, generating well over $1.6 billion of total investment across almost 1500 projects.¡¨

In Latrobe City, the Regional Growth Fund has invested $16.6 million to support 57 projects, leveraging $59.3 million in total investment. Those projects include:

„h $1,100,000 towards the $1,550,000 Moe Outdoor Pool Refurbishment project

„h $600,000 towards the $683,514 Gippsland Plains Rail Trail Traralgon - Glengarry project

„h $1,500,000 towards the $2,000,000 Growing Aerospace Manufacturing at Latrobe Regional Airport project

russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388

The Railway Park Boolarra Upgrades and Beautification project is expected to be completed in May 2015.

Media contact: 5133 9088

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com