Soil testing has started at the site of Baranduda Fields, with tenders to build the intersection to go out next month.
The discovery of Sloane's froglet in environment assessments has also led to changes to the multi-year project.
The soccer precinct has been moved and the criterion circuit removed while further investigation is done, with a zoologist to assist council planners.
Natural Resources Planner Claire Coulson said official detection of the froglet was the first "in the Wodonga area for some time".
"It's not super surprising that it occurs somewhere in Wodonga - Thurgoona is a stronghold," she said.
"Obviously, we need to be super careful of that habitat ... we've been able to move all our facilities away from the waterway which we now know the froglet lives in."
The revised layout also means about 20 per cent fewer trees will be removed, planted by the Albury-Wodonga Development Corporation in the early 1990s.
The plantation is considered poor quality, and a tender for removal of trees was awarded in December.
Mayor Kevin Poulton said civil works would be next.
"It's the delivery of something the community has been waiting for for a very long time, it gets real now," he said.
"You will start to see tenders for some of the road constructions and things heading before Council in the next month or so
"Baranduda residents will start to notice activity."
Cr Poulton said with three years still to go until completion of the precinct, involved sporting clubs were yet to be finalised.
"Those discussions continue in the background," he said.
Work is continuing on the design of two soccer fields and and a pavilion, with an aim to advertise tenders for construction later this year.
Sport and recreation manager Liona Edwards said those additions in stage one were on a needs-basis.
"You'll also see an AFL and cricket oval over the other side of the precinct, you'll see two netball courts, and you'll see a change rooms and amenities block that will service that oval," she said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Ms Edwards said council was aiming high with the precinct, "the largest between Sydney and Melbourne".
"That's why we did want a site as large as this, it's 96 hectares. It will have regional significance," she said.
"It's a pity, I don't think we'll be ready for World Cup women's soccer in 2023.
"But I would love for us to be a training venue for some of those large sporting events."
The project received $10 million from the Australian government towards stage one which is due to be completed by 2023.
The council will be adding a further $10 million in funding over the next three years from the capital works budget.
