THE first two stages of the Shepparton CBD Revitalisation – Bus Interchange project are set to go ahead as planned following the announcement yesterday that the Federal Government will be providing $1.68M in funding toward the project through its Building Better Regions Fund – Infrastructure Projects Stream.
The funding will go towards the relocation of the bus interchange on Maude Street, the construction of new public toilets including adult change facilities and a plaza will create a user-friendly space for shoppers in Vaughan Street.
The plaza area will be a space for socialising with the inclusion of toilet facilities with adult change room and baby changing facilities. This space will be a user friendly open space area adjacent to the main bus interchange terminal.
The new bus interchange will improve the functionality within the CBD and make the area safer for pedestrians and traffic users. The creation of an eight bay bus interchange will provide Shepparton with a central, user friendly public transport hub with direct access to the CBD, train station and other major destinations within Greater Shepparton. The bus interchange will operate on both sides of Maude Street for north and southbound traffic.
Federal Member for Murray, the Hon Damian Drum MP said the project was a significant investment in building a stronger economy and driving jobs for the long term.
“This is a fantastic outcome for the Shepparton community,” Mr Drum said.
“This will have major flow-on benefits across the community for those who use the buses, particularly those on lower incomes by providing access to employment and by stimulating investment and new business in the lower end of Maude Street.
“It will particularly benefit new migrants and the Indigenous community through access to employment, stimulating private investment, addressing vacancies and creating employment for the Shepparton community, ensuring our region will continue to thrive and prosper into the future.”
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Kim O’Keeffe said, “The funding from the Building Better Regions Fund is critical to ensure council can improve the facilities and amenities of this area in a timely manner for our residents and visitors.
“I look forward to seeing the project progress and thank the Federal Government for the funding.”
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, John McVeigh said the project will deliver significant economic and social benefits to the community.
“Under round two of the Building Better Regions Fund – Infrastructure Projects stream, the Coalition Government is investing well over $200M in 136 projects with a total leveraged project value of $459M,” Dr McVeigh said.
“This means, in each successful community much anticipated local projects are receiving the funds needed to take a big idea and make it a reality.”
Council has also received funding commitments from the State Government, Department of Justice, VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria and has also allocated funding in its capital works budget to fund the early stages of the project.
Later stages of the project include street scaping of Maude Street from Vaughan to High Street and traffic signals at the intersection of Vaughan and Maude Streets. The works will be conducted over several years with completion in 2020.
