MOUNT Gambier City Council has pulled funding for an accelerated works program, which would have bankrolled fast-tracked improvement works on public buildings and spaces.
At Tuesday night’s full council meeting, elected members made the decision to de-allocate the funding, which was initially endorsed to stimulate the economy in response to the pandemic.
Nearly $1.25m worth of maintenance and improvement works were set to be brought forward to inject funds towards local builders and suppliers.
However, in a report providing an update on council actions during the pandemic, chief executive officer Andrew Meddle proposed removing the aspect from council’s funding.
“This approach is taken as a result of Federal Government stimulus through its support to the construction industry releasing funds for new buildings and renovations,” Mr Meddle said.
“Council has also been granted $486,995 from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund that may be allocated towards projects of similar intent.”
Mr Meddle said the money allocated for the accelerated works would still be placed back into the COVID-19 response fund to be used for another purpose.
However, Cr Perryman opposed pulling the money for the project, instead putting forward an amendment, which would see the allocation retained.
The amendment proposed elected members discussed existing or new projects this funding may be allocated to at an informal workshop.
Cr Paul Jenner supported the amendment, after expressing fears about what the money was being de-allocated for.
“We had set aside so much money for COVID-19 and there are other items that I believe this money is being taken out for,” he said.
“I am suspicious the money is needed for something else.”
However, Cr Ben Hood refuted the suggestion the money would be used for anything else other than in response to COVID-19.
“This money for the public acceleration works program has been put into for all intents and purposes, a sub-fund underneath that COVID-19 $2m bucket and it is now being put back into the overall COVID-19 response $2m bucket for us to make a decision on,” he said.
“I am very concerned there seems to be language around here there is some kind of wool being pulled over people’s eyes.”
The amendment led to a tied vote with a division called and Crs Max Bruins, Ben Hood, Frank Morello, Sonya Mezinec voting against Cr Perryman’s changes.
Mayor Lynette Martin exercised her right to cast the deciding vote against the amendment.
The same group of councillors and Ms Martin voted through the original motion, which included a number of other updated actions in response to easing of COVID-19 restrictions.
This included moving the designated date for decisions on rate relief to September 30.
This will provide relief for those facing hardship, allowing them to defer their payments and to not incur fines or interest for a further three month period.
Chapel fees for Carinya will also be reinstated to $290 from July 1 given easing of restrictions now allow the facility to be used close to its maximum capacity for funerals.
The principal office for council will increase its opening hours to the public from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Mr Meddle also revealed in the report that council were awaiting a decision on a pending grant application to extend the rail trail.
