At Moira Shire’s most recent scheduled council meeting on June 24, council noted the findings and recommendations contained in a Prudential Report to be undertaken by BRM Advisory.
This was commissioned 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 to look at the finances of the $14.5m stadium which identified cost blowout risks.
The review highlighted three main areas for attention including oversight of strategic project risks, the accuracy of project financial estimates and the need for a council endorsed project delivery plan.
One action was to be completed by June 2025 with the report finding no progress has occurred. All other actions have been addressed since the Prudential Report was noted by council on April 24, with five actions completed and one to be deferred until June 2025 when the final design and scope is known.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Basketball Association and Yarrawonga Multisport Stadium Fundraising Committee member Amanda Wheaton said the groups are looking forward to council putting into action the results of the prudential review that was undertaken.
“The two stage design and construct procurement process should attract quality tender applicants to move the project forwards - finally,” Ms Wheaton said.
“As a community we want to start seeing some action, so it’s time to put these steps in motion. We want to see our multisport stadium up and running in 2026 as the current timeline suggests, without any further delays and setbacks.”
As part of developing the Project Management Plan, council officers have reviewed the status of the project and have prepared a procurement plan which proposes to complete the project by way of a two-stage Design and Construct contract.
This approach will ensure the project costs and project scope can be managed effectively and deliver a quality sporting facility for the Moira community.
It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded prior to the end of 2024, with design to be finalized in the first half of 2025 and construction to be completed by August/September 2026.
By addressing actions recommended in the Prudential Report, including the development of a detailed Project Management Plan, council can have confidence that there is sufficient oversight of the project to manage the financial and reputational risks associated with a project of this scale while still delivering a high-quality facility that meets the needs of current and future residents.
In recent times, council has also reiterated on several occasions that it is committed to stage one of the project which allows for a $2m spend on the stadium this year (with a council contribution of $1m).
They have also added to their expertise in delivering major projects by appointing a new major project delivery chief, Thomas Lyle, who began in April with Mr Lyle bringing a “depth of experience to the management of large and complex construction projects”.
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