Major Capital Works & Community Development

Council welcomes the funding, to enable Council to match their required contribution means a reduction in the completion of renewal works.

Council is able to cover the reduction in renewal works in the short term, but long term our renewal gap will increase to a level that is not sustainable. Council’s budget and long term financial plan will focus on asset renewal, seeking grants for upgrade and renewal projects. Council remains debt free, with a capacity to meet short term unforeseen economic challenges due to managing its financial position prudently.

During 2020/21 major capital works undertaken included:

Dimboola Civic Hub and Visitor Node

Works were completed on the old Shire Hall, with the official opening scheduled for July 2021. Hindmarsh Shire Council received funding of $600,000 through the Federal Government’s 2019 Community Development Grants Program to undertake refurbishment works following the construction of the new Dimboola Library / Customer Service Centre. To be known as the Dimboola Community Civic Hub, the venue will be a multi-use facility that can be used by businesses and community organisations for meetings, exhibitions, training and educational purposes as well as library events and functions.

Jeparit Customer Service Centre and Library Upgrades

Plans to convert the senior citizens and customer services areas at the Jeparit Hall into a new library began in 2019/20. The most noticeable change externally is the relocation of the office entry to the side of the building, accessed by an All Abilities Accessible ramp and expansive new deck, under the cover of a small veranda. The office space has received a makeover with partitions removed to create a larger space which will also include public access computers for the Jeparit Community. A new, wider access way leads in to a multipurpose area which in addition to being home to an historic billiards table and a host for Senior Citizens events will now also include an extensive library. A new kitchenette has also been installed as a part of the upgrade. An original meeting room has also been provided with better access, an internal door being created to provide a direct link back to the Library space. In addition to the obvious new changes, other upgrades include an extensive upgrade of electrical supply within the building and the installation of new heating and cooling. The refurbishment and repurposing is almost complete, with new furniture and painting still to be completed. This project has been made possible with Living Libraries funding from the Victorian Government.

Woorak Ni-Ni Lorquon Road

Council obtained funding though the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Grant from the Federal Government for the sealed road construction of Woorak – Ni Ni – Lorquon Rd heading north from the Ni Ni Well Rd. The project includes widening the pavement and seal to allow for easier transport particularly for agriculture and a safer section for all road users. This project is funded by the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Grant from the

Federal Government. The final stage of sealing is scheduled for early in the 2021/22 Financial Year.

Perenna Rd Intersection

Council’s construction staff worked on an intersection renewal and upgrade at the Perenna Rd and Lorquon-Netherby Rd intersection. The project included renewing the failed pavement and widening the seal to allow for easier transport particularly for agriculture and a safer intersection for all road users. This project was funded by the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Grant from the Federal Government.

Anderson Street Kerb and Channel Works

During 2020/21 Council’s concrete team began works to reconstruct the kerb and channel as well as sections of road on Anderson Street in Dimboola. This project will repair the uneven drainage and road pavement south-west of Lloyd Street.