Budget Alteration 2026-2027

Budget Alteration 2026-2027

Council Adopts Changes to 2026/27 Roads Capital Works Program to Address Road Conditions and Rising Costs

Yarriambiack Shire Council has endorsed a series of amendments to its 2026/27 Roads Capital Works Program, ensuring the municipality's road network continues to receive targeted investment in response to changing conditions while maintaining the overall roads capital works budget of $4.76 million.

The approved changes include the removal of 29 projects, the addition of 4 new projects, budget alterations to 16 existing projects, and the application of a fuel levy to be allocated to projects affected by rising transport and material costs. Importantly, the overall roads capital works budget remains unchanged at $4,755,473.

Yarriambiack Shire Mayor Cr Andrew McLean said the changes demonstrated Council's commitment to directing limited funding where it would provide the greatest benefit to residents and road users.

"These changes ensure we're responding to the realities we're seeing across our road network following prolonged wet conditions, while also managing the impact of increasing construction, freight and fuel costs," Mayor McLean said.

"Like many rural councils, volatile fuel prices continue to have a significant impact on the cost of road construction across the Shire, particularly where gravel and other materials must be sourced externally and transported over long distances", continued Mayor McLean.

"Some of our sandstone-based roads have deteriorated more rapidly than expected after extended wet weather. By adjusting the program, we can allocate resources to higher-priority works and use more suitable materials in locations where they're needed most."

"Council has maintained the overall capital works budget while reshaping the program to deliver the best possible outcomes for our communities. This approach enables us to respond to changing circumstances without increasing expenditure."

The changes will see $954,085 released from projects removed from the program and reallocated to new works, increased budgets for priority projects, and a dedicated fuel levy pool to address significant increases in fuel-related costs associated with sourcing and transporting road construction materials.

Key adjustments include increased investment in Northern and Southern resheeting projects, where road conditions have been most affected by recent weather events. Four new projects have also been introduced to address emerging priorities identified through ongoing asset inspections and operational assessments.

Mayor McLean said Council remained focused on maintaining safe and reliable access across the municipality.

"Our road network is one of Council's most significant assets and is critical to supporting residents, agriculture, freight movement and local businesses," Mayor McLean said.

"These amendments allow us to respond proactively to current conditions and ensure limited funding is directed to the areas of greatest need."

Council's revised Roads Capital Works Program will continue to deliver improvements across the municipality during the 2026/27 financial year while remaining within the adopted budget allocation.

END OF RELEASE

Cr Andrew McLean

Mayor

Yarriambiack Shire Council

Refer below, list of changes:

The revised roads program includes the removal of 29 lower-priority projects and the addition of four new projects, including works on Schultzs Road, Florences Road, Tobins Road and Degenhardt Street, ensuring investment is directed to roads most affected by recent wet weather conditions and escalating construction costs.

Roads Removed from the Program

(29 Jobs)

Central Resheets

Ailsa Wheat Road

Areegra Exchange

Bells Road

Brennans Road

Carron Road

Elsoms Road

Exchange Road

Gaulkes Road

Kewell East Road

Nullan Road

Taylor Road

Wallup Hall Road

Southern Resheets

Adlers Road

Forest Home Road

Konigs Road

Linghams Road

Rupanyup Burrum Road

Shoulder Resheets

Ailsa Road (two separate projects)

Fryatt Road

Banyena Pimpinio Road

Reseals

Rupanyup Road, Rural

Alamein Avenue, Warracknabeal

Coral Avenue, Warracknabeal

Craig Avenue, Warracknabeal

Duncan Street, Murtoa

Jamouneau Street, Warracknabeal (two projects)

Watson Street, Warracknabeal

Roads Added to the Program

(4 Jobs)

Southern Resheets

Schultzs Road

Florences Road

Tobins Road

Reseals

Degenhardt Street (off Hamilton Street)

Change

Number of Jobs

Roads / Projects Removed

29

Roads / Projects Added

4

Existing Projects Increased

16

Projects Receiving Fuel Levy

27

Net Change to Total Budget

$0

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