Capital works program lacks punch
Multi-year projects headline a $43.4 million capital works program which lacks the punch of big project announcements.
A $5 million allocation to the $30 million Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct, $2.1 million allocation to the $4 million Rokeby Noojee Trail and $1 million for the $2 million Rollo St masterplan in Yarragon are the top three listed items.
All are multi-year projects which ratepayers expected as previously outlined in council’s Long Term Infrastructure Plan.
The $4.1 million Drouin Recreation Reserve oval resurface project - with $3.6 million allocated in this budget - is one of the few new projects within the capital works program.
The Dowton Park pavilion upgrade will gain a $550,000 boost to undertake the $1.3 million works.
However, infrastructure assets and recreation manager David Hair defended the program in a rate capped environment as council playing catch-up with multiyear projects, including the soon to be opened Warragul Leisure Centre stadium and Bellbird Park pavilion.
“We’re a lot more pragmatic around what we can deliver with the resources we’ve got,” Mr Hair said.
The $43.4 million overall capital works program includes $19 million of carry over works from last year and continues a “plan, design, deliver” approach.
Council has allocated $25.8 million to renew and extend the life of existing assets and $17.6 million to upgrade or expand capital works.
Chief executive officer Mark Dupe said it was vital council plan for future state and federal government funding opportunities.
Focusing on election cycles, he predicted federal grants would open up in the next 12 months but state grants opportunities might have to wait until the next budget cycle.
Funding for the Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct - incorporating a state-of-the-art library in Civic Place, Warragul - is subject to a successful government grant.
Due to a lot of “ifs and buts”, Cr Danny Goss called on the project to be postponed for other projects.
However, Mr Dupe said he still had fingers crossed for a Growing Regions Fund announcement in early May.
Establishing a permanent library at the old Trafalgar kindergarten has been deferred at least 12 months after significant changes to the Living Libraries fund guidelines. Council has not allocated funds this year, but noted an aim to start works in 2025/26.
With uncertainty on Department of Transport plans for Main St, Drouin, council has instead focused on streetscape works in the Commercial Pl precinct.
Acknowledging it was seen as a bit of a town eyesore, $590,000 of carry over funds have been set aside for this project.
A further $248,000 of council funds have been allocated to the $1.9 million Warragul streetscape works.
The works will be undertaken along Queen St, between Victoria and Mason Sts.
Place Making program works are set for Longwarry North ($35,400), Poowong ($60,000) and Brandy Creek ($60,000).
A $510,000 playground renewal of Neerim South Playground also is planned.
A group of 14 community facilities are set to benefit from an $800,000 fund for refurbishments and general works.
They include halls in Ellinbank, Erica and Warragul, Longwarry pound, Oak St Kindergarten, Trafalgar Community Centre and Erica Transfer Station.
Buildings will be demolished at Logan Park and the old pound site, both in Warragul, as part of this fund.
Toilet upgrades, totalling $90,000, are listed for Erica Depot and Warragul Exhibition Hall.
Stormwater pipes renewal, totalling $200,000, is set for three sites. They are Young St and Hope St in Drouin and School Rd and Edward St in Trafalgar.
Council has set aside $100,000 for stormwater pit renewal at Alfred St and Gladstone St in Warragul, Contour Rd and Wellington St in Trafalgar, Princes Way Service Rd in Drouin, and Toy St and Ford Pl in Longwarry.