The Shire of Gingin has been given a deadline to finalise a Lancelin foreshore re-development with the Albanese Government confirming it has closed a grant program, which the former government used to promise the shire funding for the project.
Former Pearce MHR Christian Porter promised the Shire of Gingin $250,000 towards a redevelopment of Cunliffe St.
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the Lancelin foreshore re-development was a commitment of the former federal government under its community development grants (CDG) program.
She said the CDG program would be closed and no new projects would be funded from it.
“The Shire of Gingin will have six months to finalise the assessment process and enter into a funding agreement with the Commonwealth,’’ she said.
Shire of Gingin chief executive officer Aaron Cook said the shire recently went to tender for the works which had provided them with definitive costs in today’s prices to undertake the project.
“This is an excellent outcome for the shire with $250,000 being matched by the federal government, making it a $500,000 total contribution toward the project for the 2022-23 financial year. This project will greatly improve the area and fix many existing issues.’’
In reference to new borrowings the notes to and forming part of the Shire of Gingin 2022-23 Budget include a $250,000 Western Australian Treasury Corporation debenture loan for the Cunliffe St car park, Lancelin for a term of 10 years and an interest rate of 3 per cent.
But do not include any information about principal or interest repayments.
Early draft plans for redevelopment of the Lancelin foreshore proposed major upgrades to the existing car parking adjacent to Grace Darling Park and along Cunliffe St, a new boardwalk and gazebo (with disability access to the gazebo), an increased lawn area, revegetation in the Hopkins St area, sand renourishment and improvements to Hopkins St road surface and drainage.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website says uncontracted community development grant projects committed to by the former federal Government prior to the 2022 election would still be funded, on the basis that projects were contracted within six months and were completed by June 30, 2026.
The department will work with project proponents to determine the viability and completion of each project,’’ the website says.
“If proponents are unable to agree a contract with the department within six months, funding for that project will be returned to Budget.’’
Shire of Gingin notes to and forming part of the Budget for the year ending June 30, 2023 (below).
This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 1 November 2022.
