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. Council: Orange City Council Meeting: 6 October 2026, 8:07 PM Recorded status: mixed BRIEF Orange City Council’s Infrastructure Policy Committee minutes record budget pressure on the Athletic Track and main-field works. The track contract includes about $900,000 for design and construction on a stabilised surface, while the CEO said completing all work in the tenders was expected to exceed the available budget. The main-field tender was still being assessed, and no additional funding, revised scope or completion date was recorded. KEY FACTS - 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. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - 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? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - 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. SOURCE PASSAGES 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) 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) 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) 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) 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) SOURCES https://orange.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/10/IPC_06102026_MIN_16034.PDF https://minutesradar.com/news/orange-infocouncil-infrastructure-policy-committee-6-oct-2026-6-00-pm-6-oct-2026-6-00-pm-minutes-orange-athletic-track-project-faces-budget-4e0ce52845/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.