20 Jun 2018 Benalla Ensign, Benalla VIC (General News) Benalla will see its share of more than $7 million for infrastructure development earmarked for northern Victoria. The state government has announced the funding, which is an investment aimed at waste reduction and improving infrastructure. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the second round of the state governments Resource Recovery Infrastructure Fund (RRIF) had delivered nearly $1.5 million in funding to develop improved facilities in the region, which would benefit local families and the environment. Benalla is one of four local government areas in Northern Victoria to received RRIF funding. The money will be used by Benalla Rural City Council to build a modern resource recovery transfer station at its landfill site. The $900 000 project includes $440 000 from the state government and will feature realigned internal roads to improve traffic flow, provision of concrete pavement areas, earthworks and construction of a saw tooth roofed building including areas for resource recovery and a resource recovery shed. The project will improve the efficiency of the Benalla landfill and lift the amount of material not going to landfill from 35 per cent to 55 per cent. This equates to 13 000 tonnes of waste sent to landfill and 7000 tonnes of waste recovered. Ms Symes said the local council project demonstrated the governments commitment to supporting councils build more sustainable resource-recovery systems across Victoria and help families reduce their waste. Working with local government, Labor is helping to encourage recycling and develop industries that reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill, Ms Symes said. Projects right across country Victoria are worth more than $42 million and are expected to create 50 new jobs and divert more than 85 000 tonnes of materials from landfill each year. This is good for jobs, improves opportunities for local business, and the local environment. Applications from businesses and councils have opened for the third round of the RRIF. Up to $3 million is available for businesses and councils to introduce or upgrade resource recovery infrastructure projects. Grants of between $40 000 and $500 000 are available. The RRIF is a partnership between the Victorian government, local government and the business community, which is increasing investment across the economy and helping to set up a more diverse economy for a better economic future. To find out more about applying for round three funding under the Resource Recovery Infrastructure Program, go to www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ RRIF_Infrastructure_Grants Working with local government, Labor is helping to encourage recycling and develop industries that reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.?