During their April council meeting, Campaspe Shire councillors approved a project summary report of quarter three delivery under the 2025-26 Capital Works Program.
The motion, moved by Cr Tony Marwood and seconded by Cr Paul Jarman, recommended that councillors receive and note the progress and challenges towards delivering the annual CWP.
The 2025-26 CWP includes 88 projects, consisting of 56 new works and 32 projects carried over from the 2024-25 financial year.
Of those 32 carried over projects, 23 have already reached completion.
Speaking in support of the motion, Cr Marwood said the report importantly included the suspension of two projects, which he described as “really unfortunate”.
The main topic of discussion centred around the two suspended projects; Echuca Victoria Park Multi-Purpose Building Construction and Echuca Victoria Park Playing Field Drainage and Irrigation works.
“We’re continuing to work closely with the Indigenous community to a quick and positive outcome as soon as we can,” Cr Marwood said.
Cr Jarman added that projects like at Victoria Park carried over multiple years because of their size and complexity.
Cr Rob Amos acknowledged the progress of other projects under way, including the Riverboat Dock upgrade, which will feature a disability-compliant ramp for improved access to vessels and small boats.
Cr Luke Sharrock, speaking against the motion, questioned whether the shire could afford the projects.
He expressed concerns over the $2 million in additional projects that were included in the capital program outside the budget process and questioned the spend amount occurring in that space.
Supporting the motion, Cr Zoe Cook said she thought it was all money well spent across the shire for the community.
The year-to-date expenditure by March 31 was $16.4 million, including both new and carried-over works.
When factoring in $19.7 million, which has been committed year-to-date, the total actuals and commitments sit at $36.1 million, representing 88 per cent of the total $41 million annual target spend.
When put to the vote, the motion carried 8-1, with Crs Marwood, Jarman, Amos, Cook, Adrian Weston, Jessica Mitchell, John Zobec and Mayor Daniel Mackrell voting in support, while Cr Sharrock voted against.
