MORE than $120,000 will be poured into plans to revitalise Mortake’s main street.
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The final dollars for the Dunlop Street facelift were announced yesterday, with energy giant Origin pledging a $50,000 slice for stage two of the streetscape works.
It sets in motion the first steps to improve parking, footpaths, kerbing and vegetation along the street that runs parallel to the Hamilton Highway.
Moyne Shire has already put $50,000 aside for the project, while the state government will give $22,500.
Mortlake-based Moyne Shire councillor Jill Parker said community meetings would be held to hear from residents and shopkeepers on how best to spend the pool of cash.
“We need to have a public forum and look at how we can fund it,” Cr Parker said.
“It might even need to be staged.
“My first priority would be the footpath.”
She said it was still unknown how much would ultimately be required to liven up the town centre.
“The part we did on Officer Street cost $180,000,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to pick up a few more grants along the way.
“Certainly the money from Origin will be fantastic.”
Origin’s Mortlake Power Station plant manager Paul Hill said the company was backing efforts to improve the thoroughfare.
“When completed, we believe the next stage of streetscape improvements will contribute to building capability by enhancing the town’s appearance and encouraging more visitors to stop and shop — which can really help support local business viability,” Mr Hill said. Mortlake Community Development Committee president Kelvin Goodall said the town had been waiting years for a street fix.
“Dunlop Street is well overdue for refurbishment. The footpaths are dodgy, the tree plantings are a disgrace,” Mr Goodall said.
“There’s a whole lot of things that need to be done.”
Energy companies operating in the south-west including Pacific Hydro and AGL make regular contributions to community organisations.