COMPLEX alterations to an elaborate scaffolding system at Mount Gambier’s Civic Centre have pushed an external renovation joint project between Mount Gambier City Council and Country Arts SA $70,000 over budget.
The unforeseen changes have caused timing delays of approximately eight weeks, with flow on consequences for bookings at the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre.
A 5pc contingency of $54,695 included in the original tender price of $1.148m has been fully expended, with additional costs anticipated at a further 10pc.
City Council regulatory services manager Michael Silvy said alterations to the scaffolding design were required due to limitations in the load bearing capabilities of the Civic Centre roof.
“The structural inadequacy was unknown at the time of tender,” Mr Silvy said.
“The redesigned scaffolding is more complex and required additional anchor points to ensure appropriate worker safety and to ensure the roof structures were not compromised by the building works.”
He said works were halted occasionally during performance times when they produced excessive levels of noise.
“On going co-operation between Country Arts SA and City Council has resulted in a strategy for minimisation of flytower works interruption through a proactive process of identifying performance commitments and rescheduling of works to keep down time as low as possible,” Mr Silvy said.
An extra $70,000, to be co-funded by council and Country Arts SA, will cover scaffold hire, props, loss of time penalties for theatre schedule closures, patching and painting theatre ceilings and an estimate for rain delays of one week for the remainder of the project.
“The contract value is now estimated as $1,370,000 and will be shared equally between council and Country Arts SA, at a cost of $685,000 each,” Mr Silvy said.
“This includes the original 5pc contingency allowance, additional variations and professional fees.”
Council’s operational standing committee recommended a further $35,000 be allocated to the renovation project.
