REDEVELOPMENT of the Cheshunt streetscape will begin early this year, following the awarding of a tender to complete the works at a Rural City of Wangaratta council meeting on December 19.
The tender was awarded to civil construction and engineering company, Excell Gray Bruni.
Council also approved a $257,000 increase in additional funds on top of the original budget of $440,000, which will be drawn from future year's savings within its Long Term Financial Plan.
Funds of $697,000 will now go towards the project to deliver much needed upgrades at Cheshunt including the installation of formalised drainage, car parking and constructing a pedestrian and shared pathway, providing a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles.
Councillor Irene Grant said in regards to extending the budget, while it was always difficult to find money to contribute to projects underway, it was "timely and appropriate".
"We are doing work there already – it wouldn't make sense to come back at a future time to complete the works," she said.
Council received $4 million in funding from the Victorian Government, as part of the King Valley Prosecco Road Revitalisation Project, which includes townships enhancements in Whitfield and Cheshunt, the construction of an adventure playground in the Whitfield main street, designing a share pedestrian and cycle trail to run from Edi to Cheshunt and gateway signage in Oxley and Whitfield.
Similar streetscape works in Whitfield are already underway and expected to be completed in March this year.