An extra $3 million will be spent to complete the development of a long-awaited community hub, taking the total project cost to more than $12.7 million.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hepburn Shire councillors endorsed a report at a council meeting on Tuesday night that recommended the extra funds be invested to complete the development of the Hepburn Hub at The Rex in Daylesford.
It is expected The Rex will open for community use in April 2021 with four commercial tenancies, a library, council offices and a community auditorium.
This is an extra important and major project for this shire. It has been described as visionary.
- Cr Kate Redwood AM
A Hepburn Shire Council officer said it was expected the completion of the project would create economic benefits, with the activation of the unused space at The Rex and the flow on benefit through Vincent Street.
Cr Fiona Robson questioned the officer on how controls on the project were different from the past when many problems and alleged mismanagement of the project caused a three year delivery delay.
The officer said there were now reporting mechanisms in place, a specific project manager and a group controlling the project, rather than the chief executive officer.
ALSO AT THE MEETING: Hepburn Shire Council passes controversial local laws at raucous council meeting
Cr Kate Redwood AM moved to support the officers recommendation to approve the new plans for the completion of the project.
"This is an extra important and major project for this shire. It has been described as visionary," she said.
"There has been great efforts to analyse what has gone wrong. This report is in line with seeing this project completed for a realistic cost that includes transparency."
All councillors voted to support the project's completion exception for Cr Robson who voted against it.
Council purchased The Rex in 2016 for $6.345 million, with an original development budget of $1.25 million.
In mid 2017 council officers said the development would be finished by the end of 2017.
Works were suspended at the site in June 2018 to seek a planning permit as is required for works greater than $1 million.
ALSO AT THE MEETING: Council knocks back proposal for huge housing development
Work has remained suspended since, pending the resolution of several regulatory, financial and technical issues.
Council will complete some works, before putting the remainder of the work out to tender.
Council will loan the $3 million needed to complete the work and it is likely the funds will be recovered from the sale of surplus buildings including the Duke Street council offices and the old library once the project is delivered.
The project is currently subject to a Local Government Inspectorate review, following governance concerns which resulted in the council's new CEO Evan King self-reporting to the Local Government Inspectorate.
A large group of community members chanted, protested and yelled abuse at councillors throughout the council meeting, including discussions about the Hepburn Hub at The Rex, following the endorsement of General Local Law No. 2.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.
