Councillors were heavily involved with senior officers in undertaking the review of projects and activities provided for in the Council Plan 2013-2017 and funded in this year's annual budget.

The review will mean some projects will proceed and others will be put on hold.

The projects to be put on hold were identified by councillors as requiring further information prior to proceeding. Some projects may be deferred for

implementation to another financial year and others may be completely removed and no longer pursued or implemented.

"The review was necessary given the extent and volume of projects currently in the concept and planning phases and the implications of potentially overburdening the organisation in the delivery of multiple, complex projects at the one time," chief executive officer, Justine Linley said.

Mrs Linley said at present, council has in excess of 110 individual capital and community projects listed for investigation and potential implementation as a result of its Council Plan 2013-17.

"Since council has been implementing this project planning approach, our delivery and completion of capital and community projects has been in excess of 90 percent each year, well above the average of 70 percent for local government as a sector," Mrs Linley said.

"However, with increasing financial pressures, the reduction in funding from the federal government through the freeze on indexation of the Financial Assistance Grants and uncertainty in the continuation of some well regarded state funding programs, council needs to be mindful of its capacity to develop, not just deliver, projects in the community."

Cr Tony Driscoll said the review was a good opportunity for council to revisit its priorities for the coming year.

"There have been a lot of project identified as needing to be reviewed," he said.

"It's a matter of sharpening our sword and being realistic as to what our people can really achieve. The process of going from an idea to bringing the project to fruition is exhausting and this review really is lifting a lot of burden from our staff."

Cr Karen Hyslop spoke against the motion, believing all of the projects that had previously been included in the priorities list were equally important.

"A feel there are a few of the projects that are being deferred, that haven't been given enough discussion," Cr Hyslop said.

"One of the ideas is the street crossing from Waack's Bakery to Pykes Pets and Cycles, as well as the Stawell Streetscape Plan.

"I just think before we put projects like this on hold, we need to discuss them further."

Cr Hyslop said she would rather see a project such as the Western Stawell Precinct Plan deferred and see the streetscape improvements proceed as a top priority.

"This is just one of the areas that I'm not happy with," Cr Hyslop said.

"We have plans in place to link the Historical Society building with the council offices on the Western Highway. I just don't know that we have our priorities right.

"I'm not convinced as to why we need to go so big and so hard at projects like this, when others are being put on hold or abandoned altogether."