Alpine Shire Council is proud to announce the delivery of 100% of their capital works budget for the 2024/25 financial year, totalling $17 million.
Thanks to multiple injections of external grant funding over the last four years, Council has also been able to complete 10 major capital works projects with a combined total worth over $15.5 million.
The delivery of these multi-year projects contributed to 65% of the total $17 million capital works budget in 2024/25.
These 10 completed projects have been delivered across six locations in Alpine Shire.
Council received funding from the Australian and Victorian governments over the past five years that has allowed it to support communities across Alpine Shire by upgrading and refurbishing valuable facilities and open spaces.
From planning and designing to consulting and delivering, project officers worked with locals in each community to ensure that shared visions were realised for the unique benefit of each group, organisation, and township.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas emphasised the importance of spaces that deliver real outcomes for residents across Alpine Shire.
"These projects are about more than bricks and mortar - they create places for people to connect, be active, celebrate, and feel part of a thriving community," she said.
"Thank you to everyone who has contributed ideas, provided feedback, attended openings, or simply made the most of these new spaces.
"Your involvement helps ensure these projects meet the needs of our growing and evolving communities."
Cr Nicholas also thanked all of the people involved in project teams, including community members driving action, contractors involved in completing the works, and funding bodies who provided the means to bring these projects to life.
"The successful delivery of a huge capital works program is an incredible achievement for a small council, and it’s all thanks to the strong partnerships we’ve built with funding bodies and the dedication of our project teams and community members," she said.
"There’s still plenty of work ahead, and we look forward to continuing to deliver projects that support a healthy, connected, and vibrant Alpine Shire."
More information about each of the 10 projects can be found below.
Ablett Pavilion, Myrtleford | $1.99 million
The upgrade to Ablett Pavilion in Myrtleford focused on upgrading the existing facilities to offer first-class facilities for a growing range of users, including local sporting clubs, community groups, and emergency services.
In May 2021, the McNamara Reserve Committee of Management successfully sought funding from the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery (BSBR) program, administered by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, with Council taking responsibility for project management and administration of funding.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/celebrate-reopening-myrtlefords-upgraded-ablett-pavilion
Dinner Plain Activation Project | $2.82 million
The Dinner Plain Activation Project was a $2.82 million project aimed at supporting year-round visitation to the village that included the following key improvements, among others: nature play areas and a children's playground, enhanced village entry and central roundabout, and expanded car parking, including disabled parking and designated overnight areas.
The Dinner Plain Activation Project was scoped and funded with support from the Victorian Government's Bushfire Recovery Regional Economic Stimulus and Resilience Fund.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/works-begin-dinner-plain-entrance-upgrade
Dinner Plain Snowmaking | $2.92 million
Thanks to funding from the Victorian Government, a new snow factory was built in Dinner Plain with new now guns and upgrades to existing snowmaking systems. In addition, a new water bore and a 200,000-litre reservoir were constructed, with the added benefit of serving as a backup water source for the town in the event of bushfires.
The Victorian Government's support for Dinner Plain includes $3 million through the joint Victorian and Australian Governments' $68.6 million Local Economic Recovery program, which supports recovery and resilience for regional communities impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/snow-much-fun-awaits-dinner-plain-winter
Myrtleford Splash Park | $2.25 million
Formed from an idea brought about by the Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce, the Myrtleford Splash Park is a community-led initiative that led to the development of a family-friendly splash park that reflects the unique character of Myrtleford.
The Myrtleford Splash Park was fully funded by the Australian Government under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery (BSBR) Grants Program.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/construction-makes-splash-myrtleford
Myrtleford Tip Shop | $100,000
The Alpine Tip Shop is a physical retail outlet where community members are invited to donate and purchase items otherwise destined for landfill. Located at the Myrtleford Transfer Station, it is the first of its kind in Alpine Shire.
The Alpine Tip Shop was supported by Round 3 of the Circular Economy Councils Fund, delivered by Sustainability Victoria under the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy - Recycling Victoria: A new economy.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/alpine-tip-shop-reducing-reusing-and-recycling-its-way-more-sustainable-future
Savoy Soccer Club, Myrtleford | 1.9 million
The refurbishment of the Myrtleford Savoy Soccer Club saw the outdated clubrooms brought to life for the soccer community of Alpine Shire. The extensive upgrades included remodelling the change rooms, expanding the kitchen, upgrading the public toilets, and ensuring car parking was accessible for all.
The renovations were made possible through the Australian Government's Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/new-look-savoy-soccer-club-officially-reopened
Tawonga Memorial Hall | $1.08 million
The refurbishment of Tawonga Memorial Hall included interior works to existing infrastructure, as well as the construction of a new deck to the northern elevation.
The completion of works coincided with a community event that celebrated the modern history of Tawonga.
This project was funded through the Local Economic Recovery, Local Community Program Grants Program, administered by Emergency Recovery Victoria acting by and through the Department of Justice and Community Safety. The construction of the deck is funded by the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, which supports all Australian councils to deliver priority projects that create long-lasting community and economic benefits.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/tawonga-memorial-hall-opens-its-doors-community-after-refurbishment
Tronoh Dredge Hole Precinct, Harrietville | $1.09 million
The Tronoh Dredge Hole Precinct project began in 2020 with the goal of revitalising open spaces across the township of Harrietville.
Community members identified the Harrietville Walks Trail Head near Tronoh Dredge Hole as a priority during the early phases of the project’s Concept Design process to improve connections to the town centre and address parking issues along the route, enhancing the overall functionality and amenity of the area.
The Tronoh Dredge Hole Precinct was funded by the Australian Government and managed by Council as a key component of the Alpine Better Places Harrietville Project.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/community-invited-celebrate-dredge-hole-precinct-completion
Murray to Mountains Porepunkah Rail Trail and Eurobin Station | $1.11 million
As part of Tourism North East’s Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancement Project, Council was able to reconstruct and widen the 4km of rail trail between Bright and Porepunkah. The works also improved the drainage and provided a defined separation between path users and road traffic along the Service Street section of the trail, through the construction of kerb and channel along Service Street.
Further upgrade works were delivered at the Eurobin Station rest stop on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail at Eurobin. The infrastructure improvements included providing a permanent bore water supply and mains electricity supply to the existing amenities block. With improvements to the parking and extensive landscaping of the site also undertaken.
The Rail Trail works were funded by the Victorian Government through a grant secured by Tourism North East.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/exciting-new-artworks-coming-murray-mountains-rail-trail
Murray to Mountains Roberts Creek Bridge, Porepunkah | $207,000
In conjunction with the improvements to the Rail Trail between Bright and Porepunkah, the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail Enhancement Project funded the replacement of the old narrow pedestrian/cyclist bridge across Roberts Creek. The new bridge provides a safer, wider crossing of the creek on a section of the trail that is the most heavily used across the entire length of the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail.
The Rail Trail works were funded by the Victorian Government through a grant secured by Tourism North East.
For more information, visit https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/news/exciting-new-artworks-coming-murray-mountains-rail-trail