Cr Miegel commented at last Federation Council’s latest monthly meeting on May 21 after a progress report on projects as at March 31was tabled by General Manager Adrian Butler.
In 2016, the newly formed Federation Council received a total of $15 million in merger funding which included $9 million Stronger Communities Funding (SCF) to support major projects. In December 2018 council received further SCF of $5,318,215 to support major projects.
“Fifteen projects were funded under this program, with four completed, several others underway or very close to completion and other major ones still in scoping and design phases,” Mr Butler said.
“The project management team is working hard to deliver these projects with the majority estimated for completion throughout this year.”
The funding agreement stipulates that all funds must be committed by June 30, 2019 and completed by December 2019 which Mr Butler said, is a major challenge for council’s project management team.
“Our team has spent the past months further scoping the projects which involves a process of designing, costing, tendering as necessary and delivering a wide range of challenges,” the General Manager said.
Despite some unrest in the community as to progress of big projects which has previously been raised by Cr Bronwyn Thomas, Cr Miegel expressed happiness at the latest progress report.
“It seems three years have gone quickly. There’s a little bit of frustration with some people expecting everything to happen straight away,” he said.
“It’s a lot of work for staff. It’s very pleasing to see we’re nearly there.”
Completed projects are Corowa Golf Club Cinema ($585,900), Corowa RSL Park Renewal ($148,665), Howlong Skate Park ($220,290), Howlong Tennis Court Renewal ($161,245) and Urana Netball Court Renewal ($238,558).
Expected to be completed in June 2019 are the $167,173 RV Parks Oaklands project and the $77,506 Rand Sports Ground Upgrade.
Urana’s $75,592 Victoria Park Redevelopment is in progress and has a July 2019 completion date expectation.
The following projects, with current stages, are expected to be completed by December 2019:
• Corowa Bangerang Park ($650,963) project being scoped
• Corowa Skate Park ($453,170) project design awaiting final approval
• Oaklands Medical Centre increase ($614,300) in progress
• Council Wide Roads and Drainage ($3,800,000) in progress
• Mulwala All Abilities Playground and Foreshore Update ($855,650) being scoped
• Kyffins Reserve Improvements Mulwala ($227,087) being scoped
• Lonsdale Reserve Mulwala Bay 13 ($100,000 increase) in progress.
The design phase for Corowa Swimming Pool ($1,500,000) – including with both indoor and outdoor pools approved by council on May 21 2019 - is underway with the project’s completion expected to be July 2020.
