WATTLE Range Council staff have an ambitious plan to have almost $20m of civil projects ready to proceed in the event of a significant post-COVID-19 “cash splash” by the State and Federal governments.
Council engineering services director Peter Halton believes there were 12 projects in Millicent, Beachport and other areas which could be shovel ready as financial stimulus programs from Canberra and Adelaide start to flow.
According to Mr Halton, projects such as the proposed $3.5m Millicent council complex could attract significant subsidises.
The most expensive on the list is the $4.7m to complete the Border Road near Penola, while the least expensive is the $350,000 required for the all-abilities toilet block at the Domain recreational area in Millicent.
Other projects earmarked by Mr Halton are upgrades to Bowman Scenic Drive at Beachport at $3m, Millicent swimming lake at $1.2m and the Beachport waste transfer station at $850,000.
To advance the civil projects to shovel ready status, Mr Halton said around $300,000 would be required for preparatory work, including securing approvals, costings and plans.
Mr Halton’s proposal will be considered at tonight’s historic monthly council meeting, which is being conducted for the first time by video conferencing.
In a report, Mr Halton said local government can play a major role in helping the recovery from the current economic downturn with the implementation of major projects.
“These projects will stimulate jobs with direct employment for delivery of contracts for those on the tools doing the work and indirect benefits in supplying materials right through to the café selling lunches for those working on the project,” Mr Halton said.
“Further to the benefits created during the construction phase, we believe a number of the projects will provide longer term benefits, such as bringing people back to our region as tourism has taken a major hit.
“State and Federal Government are already rolling out stimulus packages.
“It is important that Wattle Range Council has a suite of major projects that are “shovel-ready”, that is, council could start delivery almost immediately.
“Officers are seeking the support of council to fund external resources to prepare a number of projects to a shovel ready status, so that council can either fund these projects and/or seek external funding to deliver these in the short term.”
As well as the $300,000 funding allocation, Mr Halton is seeking in-principle support from council for 50pc of the project costs.
Mr Halton said he does not anticipate all 12 projects will attract subsidies in the upcoming 2020/21 financial year.
