The city watchdog’s president Ian Deegan has been a long-standing critic of Wodonga Council’s budget priorities, but believes its retreat from the sporting development is worthwhile.

“From a purely financial sense I think it’s the right decision,” Mr Deegan said.

“I don’t think we can afford to borrow heaps of money at this time.

“I believe at this stage it’s a wise decision.”

But Cricket Albury-Wodonga chairman Michael Erdeljac is still upset at the move made last week.

He is concerned that some councillors don’t undersand the impact of their decision on plans for a high performance cricket training centre earmarked for Baranduda Fields.

Mr Erdeljac questioned why councillors would reject Baranduda Fields when he believes it could have been funded by the city’s budget surpluses.

He emailed councillors a brief on the high performance centre on February 2.

It had six questions. 

One of them stated: “If Council decides not to progress with the Baranduda Fields project, how does it plan to service the growing sporting needs of the community, at both the elite and community level, particularly given the high level of expectation amongst residents?”

Mr Erdeljac has not received a formal response.

He also warned the city if it retreated from Baranduda Fields it would “damage” the council’s reputation as a “very well regarded...progressive city with capacity to deliver major projects and host major events”.