Representatives from the two councils met with federal departmental heads in June to agree on next steps including securing letters of acceptance from the two state governments, signing the statement of intent, fleshing out an engagement strategy.and recruiting a project manager.

The initial $3.2 million was announced by deputy National Party leader Bridget McKenzie in late March and confirmed in the federal budget a month later.

IN OTHER NEWS

The regional deal update was included in a Two Cities, One Community progress report tabled at Albury Council this week.

The cross-border partnership was officially launched almost two years ago.

"There is a lot of progress being made and it is encouraging to see a lot of the items have been actioned or in the process of being actioned," Albury mayor Kevin Mack said.

"Once we bed down the regional city deal we will be able to create a lot more momentum on this particular project which is very important."

Farrer MP Sussan Ley has previously advocated for business and industry to have a "seat at the decision-making table" for how the initial $3.2 million is spent.

Cr Darren Cameron this week queried whether Wodonga Council had a change of heart on its "recalcitrance" in participating in the cross-border aquatics committee following the lane hire fee controversy which raged during Aligned Leisure's first year as pool managers.

There has been no change of heart to date.