The scope of works has changed as the Drought Communities Grant from the state government did not include replacement of a walkway bridge which is need of repairs.

The current budget of of $129,500 will cover the construction of two timber pedestrian bridges and footpath construction from the O'Connell Hotel to the O'Connell Cafe.

The funding must be acquitted in accordance with grant funding conditions by June 30, 2019 requiring council to consider building the project within a number of stages.

Total cost of completed project will be in the the vicinity of $350,000 which includes a 1.2 metre wide footpath parallel to the O'Connell Road on the western side of the Avenue of Trees at O'Connell, from Box Flat Road to Beaconsfield Road.

Technical services director Chris Schumacher's report to council said from investigations, the footpath would require a bridging structure over an existing drainage line on the western side of the O'Connell Road.

A number of options have been investigated in keeping with the heritage constraints of O'Connell.

"The best option would be to construct a predominantly timber pedestrian bridge over the existing drainage line," the report states.

"The bridge could be built by a local professional bridge company specialising in timber bridge construction and maintenance, having a comprehensive knowledge of the requirements for this project.

"The existing concrete/steel bridge structure on the south eastern side of the O'Connell Hotel is of poor condition

"The bridge type is not compatible with the overall aesthetic and historic village aspect. As part of the project council could replace this exiting bridge with a timber pedestrian bridge on an improved alignment."

Further funding will be required to complete the footpath component of the project past the current café to the north.