By JONATHON HOWARD
A SLOW start to capital works across Noosa will be rectified by mid-2015 when large contracted projects including roadworks kick into gear, says Noosa Council manager of financial services Wayne Jensen.
Mr Jensen’s comments were made during the Noosa Council’s final general committee meeting for 2015 on Monday 15 December.
Mr Jensen was asked by Cr Bob Abbot and later Cr Frank Pardon to explain why there had been ongoing delays to capital expenditure and why a sudden spike in capital works in June next year.
Mr Jensen said the spike represented a delay in updating council’s fleet and purchasing specific equipment to undertake local works.
“The delay was also due to a lengthy tendering process for certain contracted out works and we should see those contracts kicking into gear, which is why the sudden spike in June for capital works next year,” he said.
To date Noosa Council has only completed 11.52 per cent of the current $24.89 million budget – or about $2.86 million spent across 22 areas of works.
Areas of concern included the council’s bridge works (2.35 per cent completed) including stage two of the Munna Point Bridge upgrade, road repairs (8.97 per cent completed) and stormwater drainage (3.50 per cent completed).
Mr Jensen said an announcement was due shortly around grant money to assist with the Munna Point Bridge project, which he acknowledged needed to get underway.
On the plus side, Noosa Council had progressed with coastal canal and waterways projects which were now 54.11 per cent completed and included the Noosa Waters revetment walls stage 2a.
Cemetery works have also progressed since October with works at Tewantin Cemetery now 59.82 per cent complete of $5500. Works at Pomona Cemetery’s niche wall were likely to begin in 2015 at a cost of $7500.
Noosa Council is also facing the heavy costs of having to replace its whole shire fleet which is only 6.66 per cent complete from a required $1.735 million – or $133,347 spent so far.
Parks and playgrounds have seen some small progress with the completion of the Gympie Terrace foreshore barbecues and 90 per cent completion of all park shelters.
However, progress on the pathways and enabling facilities, planning scheme, public transport and environmental assets have all stalled in the first half of the 2014-’15 financial year.
Final votes are made during council’s ordinary meeting at 6pm tonight (Thursday, 18 December).
