Works & infrastructure · Orange City Council
Orange Athletic Track project faces budget pressure as main-field tender is assessed
The track contract includes about $900,000 for design and construction on a stabilised surface, while the CEO expects all tendered works would exceed the available budget.
Reporting from public council minutes. How this article was prepared
Orange City Council’s Athletic Track and main-field works could exceed the available budget, with the track contract including about $900,000 for design and construction on a stabilised surface.
The warning was recorded in minutes of the Infrastructure Policy Committee’s 6 October meeting. In response to Cr James Stedman’s question about how Athletic Track design changes could affect cost and completion dates, the Chief Executive Officer said the stabilised surface had been approved at approximately $900,000.
The CEO also said the main-field tender was being assessed and that other tenders were in process. He expected the program would exceed budget if everything included in the tenders went ahead.
The committee formally resolved only to note the Current Works report. The minutes do not state the available budget, the size of any potential shortfall, or whether additional funding, reduced scope or a revised completion date will be considered.
The same report records that raising March Street to meet the March Street bridge will form part of completing the bridge works. The Acting Director Infrastructure said the bridge’s underside height and thickness were required by the contract, with the thickness needed for structural integrity.
What deserves a closer look
The source records an executive expectation about the cost of completing the tendered program, not an approved overspend or final project cost.
The available budget, potential excess, final scope and completion date cannot be determined from the minutes.
The committee's recorded action was to note the Current Works report; no additional funding or scope decision is recorded.
Questions for follow-up reporting
What is the approved budget for the Athletic Track and main-field works?
When will the main-field tender and other tenders be assessed?
Will any budget pressure lead to changed scope, additional funding or a revised completion date?
What happens next
Assess the main-field tender and other tenders that were in process at the meeting.
Include raising March Street to meet the bridge as part of completing the bridge works.
Check the record
These passages were matched to the source text. Read them in context in the original minutes.
The committee resolved to note the Current Works report.
3 GENERAL REPORTS 3.1 CURRENT WORKS TRIM REFERENCE: 2026/1861 RESOLVED - 26/544 Cr K Duffy/Cr G Judge That the information provided in the report on Current Works be noted. For: Cr J Whitton (Chairperson), Cr T Mileto (Mayor), Cr J Stedman (Deputy Mayor), Cr K Duffy, Cr T Greenhalgh, Cr G Judge, Cr F Kinghorne, Cr D Mallard, Cr M McDonell, Cr G Power, Cr M Ruddy Against: Nil Absent: Cr S Peterson Cr Duffy asked if there is an extra cost involved in the change in contract for the Conservatorium and Planetarium.
RESOLVED - 26/544
Open original minutes ↗The Athletic Track contract includes design and construction on a stabilised surface approved at approximately $900,000.
Cr Stedman asked how the Athletic Track design changes will affect the final cost and completion dates. The Chief Executive Officer advised that the contract includes design and construction on a stabilised surface approved at approximately $900k.
Athletic Track discussion
Open original minutes ↗The main-field tender was being assessed, with other tenders in process, and the CEO expected the tendered program to exceed budget if all included work proceeded.
The tender for the main field is being assessed and there are other tenders in process, but he expects if they do everything included in the tenders it will exceed budget. Cr Duffy asked why the design of the March Street bridge does not cover the full width of the road.
Main-field tender discussion
Open original minutes ↗Raising March Street to meet the bridge will form part of completing the works.
The height raising of March Street to meet the bridge will be included as part of the completion of the works. THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8.24PM.
March Street bridge discussion
Open original minutes ↗The bridge's underside height and thickness were described as contract requirements, with the thickness required for structural integrity.
The Acting Director Infrastructure advised that the contract requirements mandated the height of the underside of the bridge and the thickness of the bridge was required to ensure its structural integrity.
March Street bridge discussion
Open original minutes ↗Source record
This report is based on the public minutes of Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Policy Committee meeting held on 6 October 2026.
Key facts from the minutes
- The Infrastructure Policy Committee met on 6 October 2026 and resolved to note the Current Works report.
- The Athletic Track contract includes design and construction on a stabilised surface approved at approximately $900,000.
- The main-field tender was being assessed, with other tenders also in process.
- The CEO expected completing all work included in the tenders would exceed the available budget.
- The minutes do not state the available budget, expected excess, revised completion date or any additional funding decision.
Why it matters
- The cost and scope of a major Orange sporting project remain unsettled while the main-field tender and other tenders are assessed. The minutes record budget pressure, but no final response or additional funding decision.