COUNCILLORS have given Grant District Council staff the green light to finalise costings for seven potential projects across the area.
At Monday night’s meeting, councillors voted to progress seven projects, including upgrades to Tollner Road, Carpenter Rocks beautification and a sprinkler system at the Tarpeena Oval to be costed for the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
Council will receive $423,450 under the Federal Government’s program, which aims to support councils deliver priority road and community infrastructure projects to help communities bounce back from the COVID19 pandemic.
While elected members notionally supporting the projects at an earlier workshop, councillor Gillian Clayfield raised concerns with the selection method and said she believed the process was flawed.
“For a start, people wanted to put their own priorities forward first,” she said.
“Maybe if we were going to do the voting the way we did it, you could not vote for your own thing so we could get a fairer reflection.
“I thought it was not a good way to do it.”
In reply, acting chief executive Jane Fetherstonhaugh said the process was up to chief executive Darryl Whicker.
“I have written a letter to the chief executive saying how I believe the process was flawed,” Cr Clayfield said.
Although standing orders had not been suspended, Cr Megan Dukalskis asked whether she had received a reply, with Cr Clayfield simply replying no.
Elected members backed Cr Clayfield’s sentiments, with Cr Barry Kuhl saying the funding could be used for the benefit of the greater community rather than individual areas.
Cr Peter Duncan conceded the process was “not great”, but said he “did not mind where we ended up”.
The provisional cost of the projects, which range from $110,500 for road upgrades, $84,950 for an Airport Museum and $60,000 for the Yahl Playground Area, also raised the ire of Cr Clayfield.
“Some of these quotes are only estimates, but they are quite a lot higher than what was expressed at the meeting,” she said.
Ms Fetherstonhaugh stressed the costs were rough estimates and all projects would be fully scoped and costed if endorsed by council.
Cr Clayfield questioned whether the potential projects were the best use of funding, asking Tarpeena-based Cr Shirley Little why it was necessary to install pop-up sprinklers at the Tarpeena Oval – noted in the staff report as a priority because of its classification as a site of last refuge.
“Is your oval used at all?” Cr Clayfield asked, to which Cr Little replied it was used for cricket and social gatherings.
“I want something that is safe for the community,” Cr Little said.
“Tarpeena is very vulnerable to fire and we have already been there and done that.”
Claims councillors were unaware of additions to the list, namely the construction of a shed at Donovans, were dismissed by Ms Fetherstonhaugh.
“We held a workshop and you chose these projects to be costed,” she said.
“This is your list and you have to be happy with it.”
Ultimately councillors voted in support of the staff recommendation, with Cr Clayfield noting the July 31 application closing date was too close for council to reconsider the projects.
ENDORSED INFRASTRUCTURE
• Shared path from Tollner Road to Cafpirco Road upgrade Stage 1 – Tollner Road to Crafter Road (630 metres) – $110,500
• Pelican Point shelter, table and foreshore works – $22,000
• Carpenter Rocks beautification and amenity foreshore area $40,000
• Yahl Playground Area toilets, shelters, beautification – $60,000
• Tarpeena Oval sprinkler system – $56,000
• Donovans shed construction $50,000
• Airport Museum – $84,950
• Estimated total cost – $423,450
