Horsham council to discuss City to River plan, livestock exchange roof and city's transport future at meeting

The agenda includes motions on the Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange roofing project, the Horsham Urban Transport Plan and the HRCC Municipal Early Years Plan 2019-23.

The council is also set to discuss the $1.65 million funding commitment for Horsham's Wimmera River precinct made by the Nationals prior to the federal election in May.

DEPUTY Prime Minister Michael McCormack visited Horsham in May and made a pledge to allocate $1.65 million to the council's City to River project.

Mr McComack sent Horsham council a letter last month confirming the grant, subject to the completion of a Request for Information form and the negotiation of a Deed of Agreement.

RELATED: McCormack announces $1.65 million Wimmera River election commitment

The Request for Information form requires detailed information including the project's description and scope; economic and community benefits; job creation; estimated start and finish dates; current stage of development of proposal; and itemised project budget.

The completed form is due back by November 23 otherwise the council could risk the loss of the funding commitment.

In her report to the council, community relations and advocacy co-ordinator Susan Surridge said the City to River master plan and prioritised project/s would not be completed and approved by the council by this deadline.

The council will discuss a recommendation to request for extension to the due date to February 2020.

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HORSHAM council is set to decide the tender for the Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange Roof project.

The council received four tenders for the project - all were over the budget of $3.030 million. The cheapest tenderer submitted a price of $3.498 million.

The council received a federal grant of $1.490 million earlier this year through the Building Better Regions Fund. Additional costs for the project will increase the total project budget to $3.692 million.

A motion to be discussed by councillors recommends the additional funding for the project be sourced by an increase in the proposed internal loan from council reserves.

The roof will include 100 kW solar panels, LED lighting, and water ruse and fire service tanks.

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COUNCILLORS will discuss the Horsham Urban Transport Plan and decide whether it's placed on public exhibition for six weeks.

The plan comes under the banner of Transforming Horsham, which also includes the Open Space Strategy, Horsham South Structure Plan and the City to River master plan.

The assessment of Horsham's transport network confirmed that the impact on freight movement through the CAD was a major issue.

It also found that there were a number of issues impacting safety around the city's streets, including wide crossings, lack of cycling infrastructure and lack of seats on footpaths.

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