Capital Works Program

    

The Capital Works Program is part of Council's Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2023-2034.  It lists the capital works projects that will be carried out during the 2023/24 financial year.

The Long Term Infrastructure Plan outlines the infrastructure programs and projects planned for delivery by Council over the next ten years. The overarching objective of the Long Term Long Term Infrastructure Plan is to provide the right infrastructure, at the right time, in the right places, and in a way that represents best value for money and sustainable use of resources.

This financial year will see $58.06 million of projects delivered and feature the completion of a series of multi-year strategic projects that will provide a vital boost to residents and community facilities across the Shire.

See below for more about the key projects being planned, designed, and delivered.

Click here to download the Long Term Infrastructure Plan in full(PDF, 9MB)

To view a summary of this year's project, please download the Fact Sheet.(PDF, 1MB)

What's planned for the year ahead?

Headlined by the Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium Expansion Project, the year ahead sees another significant investment from Council to deliver the sporting infrastructure required to meet the needs of our growing population.

Across the Shire there will be several multi-million-dollar pavilion projects taking place, providing players, coaches, umpires, and families with state-of-the-art facilities that are safe, accessible, and importantly, cater for demand now and into the future.

Through the Rokeby – Noojee Trail and Rollo Street Reserve projects, Council will continue its investment in high impact open space projects that enable passive recreational activities that contribute so much to both the physical and mental health of the community.

While these exciting projects are being delivered on the ground, Council is also laying down the markers for its next stage of major infrastructure projects; by following an approach that will plan, design, and deliver a healthy, thriving, and sustainable future for Baw Baw Shire.

The Plan, Design, Deliver Approach

To enable Council to continue delivering an ongoing series of high impact projects, the organisation has adopted a plan, design and deliver approach, which allows the continued delivery of significant strategic projects and undertake planning and design work for upcoming projects at the same time.

The staggered approach ensures Council has a suite of shovel-ready projects to be considered for delivery in future years or towards submission in known or newly announced grant funding opportunities – as was the case with the recently completed Western Park Netball Facilities Redevelopment.  

Introduced following a review and realignment of the existing Long Term Infrastructure Plan to address economic pressures, La Nina weather events and contractor shortages, the plan, design, deliver method has also allowed Council to create a Community Infrastructure Reserve. The reserve will enable future investment in community infrastructure that may include recreation facilities, early years infrastructure and community facilities for the benefit of our residents. 

Through the 2023/24 Annual Budget and Long-Term Infrastructure Plan, Council will continue delivering for now, and planning for the future.

Projects being delivered

Warragul Leisure Centre Stadium Expansion - $7.70 million

One of the biggest projects in Baw Baw’s history, the completion of the Warragul Leisure Centre expansion will see the addition of two multi-use indoor sports courts, a new café, changerooms and public amenities (including a changing places facility) and spectator viewing areas and will be a real game changer for indoor court sport participants.

The upgraded Warragul Leisure Centre will become the true home of basketball in Baw Baw and enable Council to attract high level events to the region.

Learn more about the project here.


Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct – Stage One - $4.20 million

Council continues to progress Stage One of the Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct – a state of the art, regionally significant, library and learning centre.

The project aspires to build on existing underutilised areas surrounding the West Gippsland Arts Centre and Civic Park to create a new civic and community building, improve open spaces and maximise opportunities for community connectedness.

The multi-level facility will include a new community library, including a children’s library, maker’s space, video gaming, reading, collection and study areas and much more.

At a total estimated cost of $30 million, the project is subject to external grant funding to progress to the delivery phase.

For more information about the project, click here.


Baxter Park Pavilion Redevelopment - $1.44 million

The past few years have seen Baxter Park completely transform. Following the completion of Baw Baw’s first synthetic soccer pitch project in 2021, the Baxter Park Pavilion Redevelopment project will add the final touches to a complete overhaul of the reserve – one that will have seen over $5 million invested in to provide state-of-the-art soccer facilities rivalling any found across Gippsland.

The pavilion redevelopment will see new, female-friendly changerooms, first aid room, storage, administration area, and undercover spectator area added to the existing pavilion.

While these works take place inside the building, new lighting and car park upgrades will be provided to complement the synthetic pitch and revitalised pavilion.

Learn more about the project here.


Bellbird Park East Pavilion - $1.57 million

Construction of a new pavilion for use by sporting clubs and community groups will be completed at Bellbird Park as part of Council’s Draft Budget. $1.57 million has been allocated to complete the project, which will see multiple outdated buildings at the site replaced with one fit-for-purpose community facility.

Council is also investing in upgrades to the senior soccer pitch at Bellbird Park through a separate project. Click here for more information about these projects.


Rokeby – Noojee Trail - $3.65 million

Stage one of the Rokeby – Noojee trail will continue to progress with a $3.65 million investment from Council. The current stage will see upgrades to the existing trail sections between Rokeby – Crossover and Crossover to Apex Lookout in Neerim.

The project aims to transform the popular recreational destination into a major tourist drawcard and provide an economic boost to the region.

Learn more about the project here.


Rollo Street Masterplan - $1.95 million

The former primary school site in Yarragon is set to be transformed through the $1.95 million delivery of the Rollo Street Masterplan.

Residents young and old will have plenty of active and passive recreation opportunities, where the vacant land of the old Yarragon Primary School site will transform into a valuable community open space that accommodates recreation and community events with the project featuring open spaces, a shared loop path, shelter, park furniture, interactive play area, information signage, artwork, raised garden beds and established trees.

To download a copy of the masterplan, click here.

Projects being designed

Through an expanded forward design program, Council is preparing for its next phase of major infrastructure projects.

The design program includes major road reconstructions, roundabouts, public toilet facilities and sporting pavilions.

Three sporting pavilions are included in the program; the Western Park (Answorth) and Longwarry Recreation Reserve pavilions, both of which are scheduled for detailed design, and the Neerim South Recreation Reserve pavilion where concept plans for redevelopment will be completed.

Council will utilise its successful project reference group consultation method in each pavilion design project, ensuring the designs meet the needs of the respective clubs and communities. 

Projects being planned

While delivering $57 million of infrastructure this financial year, Council is laying down markers that will help ensure a healthy, thriving, and sustainable Baw Baw for years to come.

Council will begin development of plans for a second sporting oval in Trafalgar. A $3 million project to plan, design and deliver, the second oval will address immediate needs of the Trafalgar community and provide an additional playing surface that can be used to decant clubs while future oval upgrades are undertaken across Baw Baw.

Through the creation of a Community Infrastructure Reserve, Council will set aside flexible funding in the coming years which may be invested in early years infrastructure, community facilities and recreational facilities as need and opportunity arises. 

Council is also investing in the future of Baw Baw Shire’s youngest residents by allocating $1 million to help deliver vital future early years infrastructure to meet the needs of families into the future.

Capital Works and Renewal Programs

Through its capital works and renewal programs, Council will improve infrastructure used by the community every day. With a variety of projects, including road upgrades, streetscapes, open spaces, community facilities and much more, residents all over the Shire will see the benefits of 2023/24 Budget and Long-Term Infrastructure Plan.

Highlights from the programs include:

  • $16.8 million for road projects across the Shire, including upgrades to Weerong Road, Drouin and Saleyards Road, Trafalgar and 200,000 square metres of resealing works on 15 local roads.
  • $3.16 million for streetscape upgrade works in Drouin and Warragul.
  • $2.45 million for bridge related projects in Yarragon.
  • $1.24 million towards buildings and community facility projects, improving accessibility and amenities across throughout Baw Baw.
  • $2.4 million for recreation and open space projects, featuring the renewal of the senior soccer pitch at Bellbird Park, Drouin and playground renewals in Longwarry, Drouin, and Noojee.

For the full list of projects included in the Long-Term Infrastructure Plan please click here to download a copy.