A synthetic athletics track in Warragul and a new pavilion at Longwarry Recreation Reserve are a step closer with small budget allocations.

Big ticket items in the $46.1 million capital works program are a $5 million allocation to the $35 million Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct, $2.3 million to complete the Dowton Park pavilion upgrade in Yarragon and $1 million to complete the $2 million Rollo St park project in Yarragon.
All are multi-year projects which ratepayers expected from previous budgets.
New additions are a $1.9 million pavilion at Western Park in Warragul, a $2.2 million aquatic heating project at Warragul Leisure Centre and $85,000 to resurface Drouin netball courts.
Another new allocation is council setting aside $6 million for strategic land purchases.
The $46.1 million capital works program includes $6 million of carryover works from last year and continues a "plan, design, deliver" approach.
Council has proposed $23.8 million to renew and extend the life of existing assets, $10.5 million for new or upgraded projects and $11.8 million for strategic projects.
These will be delivered by allocating $14 million from rates and charges, $19 million in state and federal grants, $600,000 from developer contributions, $408,000 from other contributions and $6 million in borrowings.
Mayor Danny Goss said the new council was still working on its long-term infrastructure plan, due to be released in October.
Operating in a rate capped environment with a rapidly growing population, Cr Goss said "you can't do it all in one hit" and "we wish we could do so much more."
Cr Paul Pratt said the program was "still well short of what is required" for a growing shire, noting neighbouring Cardinia Shire had allocated $72 million towards capital works.
However, two allocations will set the foundations to future capital projects.
A $100,000 strategic review of the Burke St sporting precinct, incorporating Logan Park, will be undertaken to support future construction of a synthetic track at Geoff Watt Track.
Shire infrastructure and assets manager David Hair said the athletics track project was shovel-ready and the review would give a better understanding of the precinct, taking in the netball courts, leisure centre, soccer ground and parklands flowing down to Logan Park. He said carparking needs would be addressed.
Council also will invest $200,000 to finalise the pavilion design for Longwarry Recreation Reserve.
After years of advocacy from the Longwarry community, an $8.54 million design was selected by councillors three years ago. However, Cr Goss said it was vital the design was optimised to be affordable, appropriate and what the community wanted.
"Without this work here, it won't happen," Cr Goss said.
Mr Hair said work needed to begin on the $35 million Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct - incorporating a state-of-the-art library in Civic Pl, Warragul - by December to fulfil government grant guidelines. As a result, the budget includes a $5 million allocation for stage one works. It is expected to be funded over three financial years.
Streetscape works in Drouin and Warragul feature, with Cr Goss emphasising both projects utilised developer contributions. Funding was set out for these specific projects in 2007 via the Developer Contributions Plan. The streetscape works to revitalise Commercial Pl, Drouin will cost $1.6 million, including $600,000 of developer contributions.
"It's a project we have to do but we scrutinised it," Cr Goss said. "It's staying in the budget."
The Warragul streetscape works allocation of $481,000 will complete the Queen St project. A public toilet block is expected to be developed by late July as part of the works. Placed in a prominent position closer to the road, it will replace the old park toilets.
Council has made two funding applications to the state government's Sports Infrastructure Fund. It is seeking $1 million to help building a $1.9 million pavilion at Western Park oval two, which currently has no changeroom facilities. A further $250,000 is sought for sports lighting renewal at Buln Buln.
Also relying on a state government grant is delivery of a water heating upgrade at Warragul Leisure Centre.
Community infrastructure director Ben Wood said keeping the centre's pools heated was the biggest drain on energy in the shire, costing $600,000 in gas each year.
If successful in gaining a $1.1 million grant via the Community Energy Upgrades Fund, Mr Wood said improved efficiency would see the upgrade pay for itself in four-and-a-half years.
Cr Goss said the $6 million borrowed for strategic land purchases would allow council to buy land and deliver priority projects.
Whether earmarked for sports and recreation, kindergartens or road infrastructure projects, he remained tight lipped.
"That is not determined, there is no resolution of council," Cr Goss said. "There will be more information."
However, council will stop making contributions to its early years transition fund, which last year received $500,000 to assist expanding kindergarten programs.
After trimming at least 10 funding categories in last year's budget, council has reverted back to amounts set out in its long term plan.
Mr Wood said it was important to get back to strategic allocations or risk deterioration of assets.
However, he emphasised $1 did not buy what it did 10 years ago.
Council is currently behind in determining specific projects to benefit from allocations to about 10 programs, including hall refurbishments, toilet upgrades, playground renewal and drainage works.
Mr Wood expects a breakdown of projects will be available in one to two weeks.