Presentation to the Ordinary Eurobodalla Council meeting of Feb 12th 2019 My name is Joan Armstrong and I'm here today to talk about costs associated with the redevelopment of the entire Mackay Park Precinct. There are many, many unanswered questions. I raise the following: It is believed that it has already cost the community $4 million to have all the concept plans. consultants' fees, including flight and accommodation expenses etc. etc. from about 2005 to date. Yet we are still at the concept plan stage with potential further expenses in relation to the drawing up of yet more concept plans including architects and consultants' fees. Could council please confirm the costs to the community to get to this stage and the predicted future costs involved? In relation to the Mini Golf, the mayor has advised the Mini Golf has to go so the new leisure centre can be built, then she says council have listened to the community and will try to fit the Mini Golf in to Mackay Park down the track, but then we hear that council intends not to renew its lease and are now in negotiations to work out the settlement cost after deciding to end the lease for the Mini Golf at Mackay Park. Precisely what are council's intentions for the future of the Mini Golf and what will be the total cost to the community to either relocate and/or pay out the remainder of its lease should it decide to relocate outside of the shire if a suitable site is not found within the Eurobodalla Shire? I am informed that the drilling team on-site next to the Mini Golf is finding sand, more sand and then more sand with a very shallow water table similar to what was discovered over the road at the old primary school site. I was further advised by the project co-ordinator at the Council information kiosk in front of witnesses that Council is going to need more than $51 million to build this and the foundations will need a lot more money. Could Council please provide the community with an estimate of these extra costs, the revised total cost and how these costs will be covered? Can this information be disseminated publicly? According to the 2018 Recreation and Open Space Strategy, council intends to rationalise and reclassify approximately 30 blocks of land in the Shire from 'community use' to 'operational' with the intention of selling. Council's project co-ordinator advised that the sum of $51m will not be enough to cover the costs of the project as is and that 'something will have to go'. Is it council's intention that the proceeds of the sale of these blocks of land will be used to prop up the projected blow out in costs of the proposed project? When will council provide to the community the exact difference between the construction costs of a 25m pool and a 50m pool in the current footprint? I draw to council's attention that the moneys associated with this project are in fact not council's money but rather money collected by way of rates and taxes from members of the community. Therefore, council's claim that certain information is classified as 'commercial in confidence, has no credibility. In conclusion, I would like to express my disappointment with council's poor attitude and disregard for community sentiment and lack of legitimate consultation. This project has not been well received by the broader community.
Do you councillors intend to continue ignoring those who you purport to represent? I trust that you councillors will honour the commitment you made in your Oath of Office at the beginning of your term. Councillors, the community awaits your response.
