Charlotte Varcoe
A SERIES of condition reports will make its way to the District Council of Grant as it looks to upgrade community facilities.
The first on the list was the Port MacDonnell Community Hall with a condition report detailing needing upgrades to bring it up to Australian standards.
According to a council report, it would look at going to market for Port MacDonnell Hall upgrades following a previously conducted building condition report.
A council officer stated during this week’s meeting he had received reports of a door not working, exposed wires and salt damp damage.
Port MacDonnell Community Hall committee secretary Gillian Clayfield – who was also a former elected member for the Port MacDonnell ward- noted the reported incidents which to her knowledge had mostly been rectified.
Ms Clayfield said regardless, the hall was well used by the community with it being hired out for dance teaching, workshops, market days and even weddings.
“The hall is getting a lot of use at the moment and we have had it completely carpeted and painted,” Ms Clayfield said.
“We even had a pop-up shop over the Christmas period.”
She said the newly developed courtyard was also well used by the community with other facilities such as an industrial dishwasher, fridge and lighting also contributing to its attractiveness.
Ms Clayfield said moving forward she believed the main issue would be the toilets with piping needing repairing and a disability toilet needing to be installed.
“These are the only things I can foresee being a problem for the hall in the future,” she said.
“I am really pleased with council for this because I was one of the councillors who brought it forward because we did have an issue with the toilets and at one stage it looked like it was going to turn into a fleeting stream.”
She said the committee would not have the finances to fix these issues without the support of council and she believed there should be more done for ongoing updates rather than waiting for incidents to become problematic.
“People should really use their local halls as they are really good facilities and I think it is a great facility for the town,” she said.
Council chief executive Darryl Whicker said council was in the short term of developing condition reports for all its halls and buildings which would enable it to take stock of the capital works operation and maintenance required.
“Each year council manages its assets through asset management plans and we are at the point of reviewing those assets which is why we are going out and sourcing the condition reports,” Mr Whicker said.
“This means we can prioritise projects over the short and long term.”
He said the condition reports would be done for all buildings and council holdings.
“Many of our townships have a hall but this will also include our saleyards, airport, civic centre and library as well as the other assets council manages so we have condition reports and valuations against our road network as well,” Mr Whicker said.
“We need to be able to maintain buildings for safety and also to make sure they are available for the function that is required so they are in good condition and are safe and usable.”
He said in order for council to manage assets appropriately, it would need to undertake conditions of all its assets.
“We do that for roads and manage our roads networks with valuations and condition assessments,” Mr Whicker said.
“We are doing the same for council buildings and we have got to focus on those buildings which are being used by the public at large including halls.
“Seeking the condition report will help us identify both short term and minor maintenance as well as capital improvements and enable us the ability to prioritise budget over the short and long term.”
