The Yarrawonga Multisports Stadium Fundraising Committe says the pause in the project is “disappointing” - with the project’s start date pushed out - but the committee is willing to put its “faith” in Moira Council’s newest plan for the investment.
In the wake of a more than $3.6m blowout in Yarrawonga’s other major project – the (now $11.27m) Library, Events and Performance Precinct - council commissioned a prudential review to look at the finances of the $14.5m stadium which identified cost blowout risks.
A building start for mid-year has now been put on ice as new tenders for construction and, maybe, design are submitted.
Council - which signed off on the prudential review conducted by BRM Advisory last month - is currently finalising “some key internal work” and expects to be ready to move forward with the process by the end of this month.
New council chief executive Matthew Morgan, who was appointed in January, told the Yarrawonga Chronicle last month that despite the restart, council expects works to begin “early 2025”.
Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium Fundraising Committee member Amanda Wheaton, who is also on the Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association committee - a key stakeholder of the project - said the group was willing to puts it “faith” in the restart being led by Mr Morgan.
“Whilst its certainly disappointing to hear that there will be a further delay of six months before we see some physical action to build the stadium, one thing still remains perfectly clear, and that is that the stadium as still going ahead,” she said.
“The desired outcome is that we have a facility that is functional, fit for purpose, cost effective and done properly and we have to put our faith in the newly appointed Moira Shire chief executive Matthew Morgan that his due diligence will deliver this project and be exactly that.
“We remain in close contact with the shire and will continue to advocate and have input on behalf of our association and community.”
General inflationary costs as well as issues behind design are believed to be behind the library-precinct cost blowout.
Council has reiterated on several occasions that it is committed to stage one of both projects. Its draft budget released this month allowed for a $2m spend on the stadium this year (with a council contribution of $1m) and a $5.69m spend on the library-precinct ($2.7m council spend) this coming financial year.
Council has also added to its expertise in delivering major projects by appointing a new major project delivery chief, Thomas Lyle, who began last month, saying Mr Lyle would bring a “depth of experience to the management of large and complex construction projects”.
Mr Lyle has been involved in public projects including the $50m Shepparton Art Museum as well as several large private projects, including the construction of several abattoirs.
The stadium project requires a $750,000 contribution from the community with a $250,000 donation from the Yarrawonga Holiday Park Committee of Management last month, in addition to $250,000 from the basketball association, putting the five-year target, which began in May last year, well on track.