THE budget to beautify two blocks of Goulburn’s CBD has blown out by nearly $400,000.
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A cracked concrete slab on the Verner to Montague St stretch is partly to blame.
Council originally allocated $400,000 in this year’s budget for the beautification work. But operations director Matt O’Rourke reported to the most recent meeting that the cost was now estimated at $780,000.
As such, councillors voted to bring forward $150,000 from the 2015/16 allocation for the work. It supplements $150,000 already taken from that pot of money in March to complete corner blisters at Westpac, Harvey Norman and outside Subway.
A further $80,000 is expected to be paid by Essential Energy as compensation for ripping up the pavement for cable replacement.
The extras came to light in the past few months when workers found that two liquidambar trees had cracked a large concrete slab on the western side of the Verner to Montague St block.
In order to prevent damage to the new work, the trees were removed on Sunday, May 17.
“(The damage) will require much of the slab to be replaced,” Mr O’Rourke told the meeting.
The re-allocation will reduce next year’s budget for the CBD beautification works by $300,000.
Cr Margaret O’Neill said she would like to see all the paving on the western side completed before starting on the eastern aspect.
But Mr O’Rourke pointed out that councillors had already decided in their operational plan to fully complete the blocks underway.
“Well, I want progress reports on the work rather than just letting it happen,” Cr O’Neill replied.
“I’m sure if there’s a blowout Mr O’Rourke will bring it back to us,” Cr Kettle said.
Meantime, councillors also brought forward a further $90,000 from next year’s budget to start prelimiary work on other projects.
These are: Kippilaw Bridge replacement ($30,000); Wollondilly walking and cycle track ($10,000); Carr St reconstruction ($10,000); Garroorigang Rd reconstruction ($10,000); Gurrundah Rd, Oallen Ford Rd and Kooringaroo Rd rehabiliation ($90,000).