The Albury-Wodonga Health Hospital redevelopment, Draft Alpine Shire Tracks and Trails Master Plan 2025, and Financial Sustainability Strategy were on the agenda at last week's Ordinary Council Meeting.
At the meeting, Council:
> Received and noted the Annual Report 2024/25 in accordance with section 100 of the Local Government Act 2020; and
> Delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) the authority to correct any typographical errors.
> Noted three Capital Project Contracts approved under delegation by the CEO:
> Contract No. CT26156 Road Stabilisation and Patching 2025-2026 to Central Vic Stabilising for $153,611.88 (excluding GST);
> Contract No. CQ26179 Alpine Shire Seasonal Pools Painting to Rhino Linings for $93,260.00 (excluding GST); and
> Contract No. 26124 Bright Skate Park Upgrade and Repair to Unearth for $128,980.60 (excluding GST).
> Affirmed its support for the development of a new single-site hospital to service the catchment of Albury-Wodonga Health; and
> Noted the commitment of $8,263.00 towards continued advocacy for a new Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital that has been made under delegation by the CEO.
> Noted that, following the release of the draft Asset Plan for public exhibition, six external submissions were received which did not impact the intent of the Plan;
> Revoked the Asset Plan 2022-2032 (Version 1);
> Adopted the Asset Plan 2025-2035 (Version 2); and
> Signed and sealed the Asset Plan 2025-2035 (Version 2).
> Endorsed an engagement process to seek community feedback on the draft Alpine Shire Community Infrastructure Needs Assessment 2025 for a period of eight weeks; and
> Noted that Council officers will consider community feedback and report back to Council at a future Ordinary Council Meeting.
> Endorsed an engagement process to seek community feedback on the draft Alpine Shire Tracks and Trails Master Plan for a period of eight weeks; and
> Noted that Council officers will consider community feedback and report back to Council at a future Ordinary Council Meeting.
> Endorsed an engagement process to seek community feedback on the draft Alpine Shire Aquatics and Indoor Stadium Feasibility Study 2025 for a period of eight weeks; and
> Noted that Council officers will consider community feedback and report back to Council at a future Ordinary Council Meeting.
> Awarded Contract No. 26147 Demountable Site Office at Mount Beauty Transfer Station to Rendine Construction Pty Ltd for a lump sum price of $212,114 (GST exclusive);
> Delegated authority to the CEO to sign and seal the contract at the appropriate time; and
> Delegated authority to the CEO to sign variations up to the adopted 2025/26 budget amount of $240,000.
> Awarded Contract No. 2615701 for Resealing 2025/26 to Rich River Asphalt for a lump sum cost of $381,001.48 (GST exclusive); and
> Delegated authority to the CEO to sign and seal the contract at the appropriate time.
> Noted the content of the Capital Works Performance Report – October 2025, which provides an update on the status of the 2025/26 Capital Works Program.
> Considered written submissions received pursuant to Council's Community Engagement Policy, in relation to the draft Financial Plan 2025-2035;
> Agreed to notify, in writing, each person who made a submission to the draft Financial Plan 2025-2035, setting out how that submission was considered in the finalisation of the Financial Plan 2025-2035;
> Revoked the Financial Plan 2021/22 to 2030/31;
> Adopted the Financial Plan 2025-2035; and
> Signed and sealed the Financial Plan 2025-2035.
> Adopted the Financial Sustainability Strategy 2025-2029;
> Signed and sealed the Financial Sustainability Strategy 2025-2029; and
> Directed the CEO to identify recurring annual operating cost savings of $1.5 million for the 2026/27 financial year compared to the Financial Plan 2025 – 2035, and to reflect these cost savings in the draft 2026/27 Budget. Cost savings are to be achieved through reductions in employee costs, material and services expenditure, or otherwise as determined by the CEO, and will form a foundation to support Council’s future financial sustainability.
> Adopted the Municipal Bushfire Place of Last Resort Plan 2025-2029 (Version 1.0);
> Endorsed decommissioning of three Bushfire Places of Last Resort:
a) Dederang Memorial Hall
b) Mount Beauty Stadium
b) Porepunkah Hall
> Endorsed commissioning of two Bushfire Places of Last Resort:
a) Dederang Recreation Reserve Netball Courts
b) Les Peart Oval, Mount Beauty; and
> Signed and sealed the Municipal Bushfire Place of Last Resort Plan 2025-2029 (Version 1.0).
> Received and noted the (unconfirmed) minutes of the Audit and Risk Committee meeting No. 2025/26-2, held on 24 September 2025.
> Noted the progress report and further actions being undertaken by the Statutory Planning team to improve statutory planning service delivery and the customer experience.
> Exercised the powers conferred by section 147(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, so that:
1. The following member of Council staff referred to in attachment 1: "S11A – Instrument of Appointment and Authorisation – Planning & Environment Act 1987" (the Instrument) be appointed and authorised as set out in the Instrument:
a) Senior Statutory Planning Officer;
2. The Instrument comes into force immediately when the common seal of Council is affixed to the Instrument, and remain in force until Council determines to vary or revoke it;
3. On the coming into force of the Instrument, the previous "S11A – Instrument of Appointment and Authorisation – Planning & Environment Act 1987" for the following member of Council staff, as dated, be revoked;
a) Senior Statutory Planning Officer, dated 30 May 2023; and
4. The Instruments be signed and sealed.
> Exercised the powers conferred by the legislated referred to in attachment "S6 – Instrument of Delegation from Council to Members of Council Staff" (Instrument S6), so that:
a. There be delegated to the members of Council staff holding, acting in, or performing the duties of the offices or positions referred to in instrument S6, the powers, duties and functions set out in that instrument, subject to the conditions and limitations specified in that Instrument;
b. Instrument S6 be signed and sealed at the appropriate stage of this meeting;
c. Instrument S6 comes into force immediately the common seal of Council is affixed to the instrument;
d. On the coming into force of instrument S6, the previous version of instrument S6 dated 9 September 2025 be revoked; and
e. The duties and functions set out in instrument S6 must be performed, and the powers set out in the instruments must be executed, in accordance with any guidelines or policies of Council that it may from time to time adopt.
> Received the summary of informal meetings of Councillors for September/October 2025.
To read the agenda and attachments, visit: https://www.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/about-us/our-council/council-meetings/council-meetings-2025
The meeting recording can be viewed on Council's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/DnbR-vMmOcA?si=QmU8ZibOC5DOfoUY