MOYNE Shire Council voted at its monthly council meeting on Tuesday to deliver one of its biggest ever capital works programs with a 250 per cent increase in budget allocations.

Councillors approved an additional $500,000 budget allocation from the general surplus for the next two financial years to allow for additional project staff to be hired to help deliver what is being dubbed the Great Moyne Build.

Moyne’s capital program prior to the COVID pandemic averaged an annual allocation of around $16 million.

The estimated program of capital works for the 2022/23 financial year is approximately $41 million, which includes additional funding from the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications programs.

Moyne mayor, Ian Smith, said with additional government grants and a large proportion of Moyne’s own budget directed to capital works, there was a 250 per cent increase in the program’s budget.

“Our program has everything from road upgrades through to sporting pavilions, streetscapes and community spaces,” he said.

“We’ve been able to attract a significant amount of government funding for key projects and we hope that even more will be made available in the lead up to the State Election.”

Councillor, Karen Foster, supported the motion but had expressed concern that the increase in budget allocation for projects would have an impact on current staff.

“We couldn’t expect our staff to do all of that within the current resourcing,” she said.

“It’s not only about keeping projects moving through, I think all of us as councillors want to see things happening and want to see things progress, but it’s also about the health and well-being of our staff as well.

“So I’m very happy to support this. I hope that it leads also to building the capacity of our team in terms of project management expertise as well.”

Cr Smith agreed “we need additional resources” and said the additional budget allocation will allow for an increase for two equivalent full-time positions and also for specialists’ services to be engaged where needed to assist with items like design, engagement of contractors or specific project managers.

“Our in-house works teams do a fantastic job, but with such a huge increase in projects, they need a few more hands on deck to help,” he said.

“This budget allocation is a prudent use of resources that will deliver for the community.”

However not all the councillors supported the motion as tabled, and councillor, James Purcell, voiced his concerns.

“I’d be happy to support it as a budget variation, but the report is just too light on detail,” he said.

“It’s one of our biggest spends, ever.

“We don’t have a list of the priorities … we don’t know how much the current works we can actually take out and do project management out of those, there’s a huge amount of information not here.”

Councillor, Daniel Meade, said he understood Cr Purcell’s concerns but believed a commitment to frequent reporting would lead to a satisfactory level of oversight, despite conceding “the report is not very specific” on the details of projects.

“I have confidence in the team that they’ll be able to deliver on the projects that are ready to go and of necessity to get done, especially for funding, deadline requirements, etc.,” he said.

“(It’s) also part of the reason why I’ve asked for it to be added to a quarterly report is to really ensure the council keep a very close eye on the progress because it is a huge amount of money.”

The motion vote was five to two in favour, with Cr Purcell and councillor, Jim Doukas, voting against.

Cr Smith was pleased with the outcome and said Council had an obligation to the shire’s residents.

“The community want to see these projects delivered rather than sitting on the books for years,” he said.