East Gippsland Shire Council is undertaking several projects to revitalise Cann River, boosting community recovery and resilience. These endeavours will replace outdated infrastructure to create new, safer and visitor-friendly facilities with economic growth and social benefits.

Mayor Cr Tom Crook said Council is working on projects that will benefit locals and visitors alike.

“It’s great to see this investment for Cann River. We’re working to upgrade the skate park, build accessible toilets and change facilities, construct footpaths and improve parking. These infrastructure projects will improve the livability of the township for locals and create more reasons to stop and spend for visitors,” Cr Crook said.

Works have already begun to demolish the deteriorating skate park features. Project contractor Grind Projects anticipates the installation of the new infrastructure will take approximately two months.

Currently, the skate park is the only formal recreational and sporting facility within a 100km radius of Cann River, so it is particularly important for the wellbeing of the community’s young people.

The new skate park should open in time for the busy Christmas holiday period and was funded by a $561,000 grant from the Australian Government Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program.

As a major rest stop for travellers, Cann River was identified as the preferred location for a Changing Places facility attached to the existing public toilet.

This facility will allow locals and visitors with high care needs and their carers to enjoy Cann River and surrounding areas knowing suitable bathroom and change facilities will be available. Changing Places are accessed using an MLAK, a restricted master key system allowing people with disabilities 24-hour access to public facilities.

This project is funded by $180,000 from Victorian Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and is part of a broader aim to ensure registered Changing Places facilities are provided at key locations across East Gippsland.

With the goal of increasing car parking capacity within the Cann River CBD, on-street parking works are nearing completion. Several car parking options will be available for locals and visitors in addition to improved road and drainage infrastructure.

Council’s contractor Fulton Hogan is wrapping up critical footpath pedestrian links and road pavement sealings, with works on track to be completed in early November. An investment of $1,060,000 from the Australian Government through the Infrastructure Investment Program and a further $215,000 contribution from Council made this project possible.

The planning and development of the waste transfer station, aimed at accommodating domestic, green and metal waste for the Cann River district, is also back on track.

After working with a local advisory group and external advisors, a potential new site has been identified, and Council is another step closer to a better waste management solution.

More information on these projects is available on Council’s Your Say website, yoursay.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au

‍