What the council is working on
Recent deliveries, what's underway now, and what's planned next — drawn from the council's own plans, budgets and project pages. We report what the council has publicly said it's doing; every item links to its source.
The council's stated direction
Campaspe's direction is set by its Community Vision 2040 and the Council and Wellbeing Plan 2025–2029, both adopted on 23 September 2025 after a community survey and the council's first Citizens' Panel of 35 residents. The Community Vision reads: 'Our Campaspe is welcoming, inclusive, and diverse. Our People are supportive, resilient, and thriving. Our Places are vibrant, healthy, and sustainable. Stronger Together, like the three rivers flowing through our shire.' The council publishes quarterly progress reports on the plan.
The Council and Wellbeing Plan has four priority areas: revitalise assets and infrastructure; accelerate economic development; invigorate public spaces; and enhance community participation and wellbeing.
The 2026–27 budget, adopted on 16 June 2026, raises rates within the 2.75% cap and forecasts an operating surplus of $9.65 million but an adjusted underlying deficit of $12.84 million. It funds $40.66 million of capital works, with no new borrowing. Named projects include $9.14 million for the Victoria Park redevelopment in Echuca, $0.87 million for the Gunbower Thompsons Bridge renewal, $1 million for the Echuca Holiday Park master plan and $320,000 for public amenities at Edis Park, Kyabram. The council says an organisational restructure reduced its directorates from four to three and staff positions at a saving of $1.6 million.
Underway now
Victoria Park redevelopment, Echuca
$9.14 million in the 2026–27 budget, continuing from 2025–26A new multipurpose sports, events and emergency relief centre at Victoria Park, with a terraced grandstand of about 400 seats and a function space. In 2024 the council announced $11.3 million from the Australian Government's Growing Regions Program towards an estimated $13.3 million project, with the council contributing $2.0 million.
Source: Campaspe Shire Council — $11.3m funding approved for Victoria Park
Chief Executive Officer recruitment
Appointment expected to be considered at the November 2026 meetingCEO Pauline Gordon resigned in July 2026 to join the City of Boroondara, staying until 26 August. Craig Neimann is Interim CEO while the council recruits, with the preferred candidate's appointment expected to be considered in November 2026; the council says timings are indicative.
Source: Campaspe Shire Council — Recruitment underway for Campaspe Shire Council's CEO
Planned / committed
New aquatic facility for Rochester
Council contribution of $5 million announced April 2025A new aquatic facility to replace the Rochester District War Memorial Pool, demolished after the October 2022 flood. The council committed $5 million towards a proposed $12.5 million project and sought federal and state funding; in July 2026 the outgoing CEO listed state government funding for the facility among the projects secured.
Source: Campaspe Shire Council — Council tips in $5 million for Rochester aquatic facility
Recently delivered
Flood Resilient Homes Guide
Noted by council on 22 September 2026A guide and four fact sheets with property-level ways to make existing and new homes more flood resilient, developed with the Rochester Community Recovery Committee and funded by the Council Flood Support Fund. The council says it is an educational resource only and creates no mandatory building requirements.
Source: Campaspe Shire Council — New guide to help residents build flood resilience at home