Community
4 December, 2024
Project delayed until March
UNEXPECTED “hurdles” have pushed out the completion date of the Port Campbell Town Centre Revitalisation project until March next year.
The further delays will be disappointing news to Port Campbell businesses who have expressed their frustrations on social media throughout the lengthy project.
At the November Ordinary Meeting of Council, councillors approved a deed of variation with a revised completion date of March 31, 2025.
Director sustainable development Justine Linley said there had been a number of “unforeseen impediments outside of the control of council or the lead contractor” which has led to delays in the delivery of the planned construction program.
Impediments included:
The discovery of asbestos piping throughout the site which has required removal in part;
Discovery of unmapped utilities or utilities in locations in conflict with the construction plans;
Delays in responsiveness of some utility providers; and
A number of re-designs required for the decking system, including footings, to be installed under the Norfolk pines in Lord Street.
Mrs Linley said as a result of the issues a review of the project delivery program was undertaken with the co-operation of contractor Civilnow.
Following the review, it was understood some of the works may be required to be transferred to a new “SP-C (Separable Portion-C), and should a new SP-C be created, this would require a further deed of variation”.
Mrs Linley said the project was the largest single project the council had ever undertaken at a cost of $16.6 million.
“The project seeks to strengthen and improve the functionality and amenity of Port Campbell’s town centre,” she said.
“Unfortunately, there have been several unforeseen impediments outside of the control of council or the lead contractor leading to delays in the delivery of the planned construction program.”
Councillor Jamie Vogels said it was “high quality work that they are putting in down there”.
“Rest assured at this stage, as far as I’m aware, and I’m 99.9 per cent sure all the bitumen will done before Christmas and nearly all the footpaths should be done,” he said.
“And anything that isn’t done will be made safe, the construction gear will be gone so we’ve got a clear run between Christmas and after New Year.”
Cr Vogels encouraged the wider community to support struggling Port Campbell businesses who have had to contend with the scale of the project.
“If you get a chance to get down there and support the businesses down there, there has been a lot of construction and disruption to their businesses,” he said.
“If you are a local and you are avoiding it because of the construction, probably it would be better if you didn’t avoid it and get down there and support our businesses because they are doing it hard.”
Cr Geraldine Conheady said with a project of this size “there is going to be hurdles”.
“When you look at this, it’s a $16 million project, it’s of substantial scale and more than tearing up streets, it’s an enormous amount of work to be done,” she said.
Cr Jo Beard said she was “glad we’re not rushing it”.
“At the end of the day, you can’t build and construct in the wet months – this was our only opening,” she said.
“This is a project that’s been mooted for years and years. It’s the biggest project we’ve ever undertaken.
“We’re grateful to the businesses for working with us and we are very considerate to what they have got going on.”
Cr Beard said “I can guarantee there’s lots of places” that would like to have the project in the area.
“I think we need to look really positive towards it,” she said.
“We are getting there.”