WODONGA Council has come clean on the source of its own contribution that helped clinch $10 million of federal funding for further city centre upgrades.
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The funding bonanza obtained by council was the largest possible in the first round of the National Stronger Regions pool.
But no mention was made of where the matching dollar for dollar amount was coming from.
The supporting funding is contained in budget forward estimates including $4.6 million in 2016-17 with the balance of the council contribution spread over the following three financial years.
The approach is in stark contrast to Wangaratta Council which outlined its funding breakdown of a $14 million aquatics upgrade as part of a special meeting last week.
Wangaratta is targeting the second round of the National Stronger Regions funding for $4 million.
The balance will come from ratepayers, state government and the city's swimming club.
Wodonga mayor Rod Wangman last week directed questions about the matching funding to senior staff.
The council's business services manager Trevor Ierino said the ratepayer contribution was locked in.
"It more than adequately covers our share," he said.
"We had budgeted for basic road upgrades.
"But with the grant money we've been able to leverage off that and do a whole lot more such as paving, new lighting, hard and soft landscaping.
"It will be a whole treatment that takes the CBD to another level and ticks more boxes."
Mr Ierino explained the $9.3 million in the forward estimates for road upgrades exceeded the federal government contribution with $8 million provided to council and $2 million to Places Victoria.
The $10 million must be spent by 2019.
Wodonga Council will use the windfall to level out High Street after a dip was created with the Elgin Boulevard re-alignment and an extension of Havelock Street.
The improvements on Junction Place land known as the Promenade could be completed in this financial year.
The city centre road upgrades will be one of the largest capital works projects in 2016-17 which coincides with the introduction of rate-capping in Victoria.
Mr Ierino said future budgets had been projected on rate rises of 4.25 per cent.
"We've taken the view we will deliver the services the city demands of us and the infrastructure the city is looking for," he said.
"The rate-capping regime isn't defined yet and at the moment is only a concept."
Wodonga is also awaiting confirmation on when it will receive its $10 million from the Victorian Government as promised in the lead-up to last year's state election.
The Andrews Government pledged to provide the 10 largest cities in the state $100 million.
Wangaratta is also in line for the funding boost.
