In response to concerns raised by local residents about the condition of the unsealed road in McPherson Road, Waurn Ponds, we are considering a road upgrade (the above map shows the location).

We are proposing that this upgrade is funded via a Special Rate and Charge (SRC) scheme. This is a co-funding arrangement, where the cost is shared between the City and property owners who directly benefit from the upgrade.

Special Rates and Charge Scheme

Under the Local Government Act 1989, the costs for new or upgraded infrastructure which benefits a specific group of property owners can be levied as a special charge. Under Council’s Special Rates and Charges Policy, an SRC scheme enables the City to provide services to the community that may otherwise be impeded by budgets and timing.

The purpose of this engagement is to seek feedback to help us understand if there is enough support for the proposed upgrade to proceed under an SRC scheme in the future. We will be in contact with you again after the survey has closed to inform you of the outcome.

As a guide, we estimate the cost for the proposed upgrade to be between $20,000 - $40,000 per property.

If most property owners are supportive, we will prepare the designs in the 2023-24 financial year. Once the designs are completed, we will undertake further engagement with property owners. You will have another opportunity to share feedback with us at that time.

The proposed SRC scheme would then only proceed if a majority of responding property owners supported it.

More information about Special Rate and Charge schemes is available here.

Have your say

We encourage property owners to share their views by participating in a short survey. It is important that we hear your views so that the decision reflects true community feelings.

We want to know if you:

• support the proposed road upgrades; and
• are willing to contribute towards an SRC scheme in the future.

Please note that this survey closes at 5pm on Monday 20 November 2023.