NEWLY-ELECTED councillors have thrown their support behind the Mount Gambier Community and Recreation Hub and encouraged residents to engage with the upcoming community survey.
With surveys expected to arrive in the post next month, councillors used the first meeting of the new term to address a number of questions surrounding the project.
Incumbent Councillor Frank Morello laid out facts and figures, which he said can take time to “cut through the noise”.
“Council’s financial modelling suggests we can build and run this facility within our current rate level of 4.5pc,” Cr Morello said.
“Some argue that council should not build the facility and instead reduce rates to 2.5pc.
“Well, the difference between 2.5pc and 4.5pc is about $25 per year, per ratepayer – about 50 cents per week.”
Cr Morello said that leaves the ratepayers with a decision to make when they respond to the survey next month.
“We can decide to pocket the $25 and spend it or we can invest this sum in the economic, cultural and social wellbeing of our community for decades to come,” he said.
Not lacking passion, Cr Paul Jenner also weighed in on the running costs in an attempt to ease the concerns of council ratepayers.
“The hub will run at an annual loss of $1.4m compared to the library, which runs at a loss of $2m,” Mr Jenner said.
“The library had negativity when we first built it, but now it is a centre of excellence in our community and it is a great place to meet.”
After highlighting the similarities between the two projects, Cr Jenner implored the community to block out the noise.
“In summary, do not listen to gossip, just the facts,” he said.
With $15m already on the table from the Federal Government, Cr Morello highlighted the long-term cost of saying “thanks, but no thanks” to the funding.
“If we do that, we do not progress. We do not grow. We stagnate,” he said.
“We become bystanders, watching every other town around us invest in their future, grow their infrastructure and build their competitive advantage, while we remain paralysed by fear and indecision.”
He asked the community to be bold, brave and to focus on the next generation.
“What some may consider is an extravagant development now will be a necessity in 10 to 15 years when our ageing infrastructure starts to deteriorate and crumble,” he said.
“The (future) replacement cost will not be $39m and there may not be a government willing to give us $15m.
“This hub will not be the panacea, nothing ever is, but it will be a major contributor well worth the investment of $25.”
