Plan, design, deliver theme for projects

The phrase “plan, design, deliver” is consistent across council’s draft budget infrastructure projects and long term infrastructure plan.

Already used extensively by councillors at recent council meetings when discussing key projects, Cr Darren Wallace said “the community is going to hear a lot of this over the coming months.”

“When it comes to spending the public’s money, it’s not a bad starting point,” Cr Wallace said.

Design works for eight key future projects will move forward with $800,000 allocated in this year’s budget.

The projects are: Western Park pavilion in Warragul; Longwarry Recreation Reserve pavilion; Neerim South Recreation Reserve pavilion, Copeland Rd/No One Rd roundabout; Albert St in Warragul between Mason St and Normanby St; McNeilly Rd in Drouin; Kitchener St in Trafalgar between Dodemaids Rd and Anzac Rd; and improved facilities at Alex Goudie Park in Drouin.

The design works will be funded by $360,000 from council, $50,000 from developer contributions and $390,000 from deferred expenditure.

In addition, an indoor stadium plan for Drouin was allocated $50,000 of council funds.

The plan will be a review and update of the Bellbird Park Indoor Stadium Project timing based on the impact of the Warragul Leisure Centre stadium construction, new stadiums being constructed by schools and current demand for ball sports in Drouin.

A newly established Community Infrastructure Reserve will be created to set aside funds for early years infrastructure, community facilities and sporting facilities.

“There will be a bucket of money that will be used to take opportunities when they do arise,” Cr Wallace. “In this day and age, with spending money, you have to be very agile to make the most of it.”

It is expected $5 million will be put in the reserve over the next three years. These funds can then be used to leverage external funding opportunities.

Acting community infrastructure director David Hair said a majority of grant programs expect shovel ready projects and “we’ve set ourselves up to be successful for the future”.

“It’s about having money put aside for a rainy day but also our ability to turn $5 million to $10 million or $15 million through grant opportunities presented,” Mr Hair said, noting many grants required 2:1 or 3:1 ratios of council investment.

Chief executive officer Mark Dupe said the extended three-year-old kinder programs would require large investment in early years infrastructure over the next five years.

This reserve would enable council to take a clear direction when funding presents, he said.

“We’re putting aside money for future projects already planning and designed, ready to go,” mayor Annemarie McCabe added.