Council cuts $5.6 million in Peninsula projects

More than $5.6 million in projects on the Peninsula will not proceed this financial year as a result of Central Coast Council's 2020-21 first quarter budget review.

Details of the review were released with the "30 day interim report" of council administrator Mr Dick Persson, adopted at a special council meeting on Wednesday, December 2.

"Council's capital works program has been extensively reviewed to identify projects that can be deferred or paused or undertaken from external funding, to improve Council's financial position," Mr Persson said.

He said the review identified savings of $65 million from cancelling, deferring or reducing projects across the municipality.

The largest cut on the Peninsula was to reduce the allocation for the Peninsula Leisure Centre air handling system upgrade by $3.2 million by "pushing back" its construction to next financial year.

The project's total budget of $4.29 million was reduced by $3.218 million, leaving $1.072 million to be spent on design this year.

The scope of improvements to flooring, roof and access ladders at the leisure centre was also reduced, with that allocation going from $110,000 to $60,000.

An allocation of $1.35 million to upgrade the Rogers Park amenities building has been reduced by $450,000 to $900,000, with part of the project deferred until next financial year.

A number of projects that have not started will not proceed, but "will be considered in future program".

These include a wharf at Woy Woy Bay ($395,000), Woy Woy town centre tree surrounds ($192,000) and seawall reconstruction at Monastir Rd, Phegans Bay($165,000).

Other projects will include the conversion of an unused office area into a change room at Woy Woy tip ($130,000), Woy Woy town centre picnic shelter and tables with seating ($100,000), Mt Ettalong Rd embankment stabilisation ($75,000) and covered storage for cold mix within Woy Woy Stores bulk yard ($20,000).

A $107,000 natural area escarpment stabilisation project between Castle Circuit and Homan Close, Umina, has been "deferred due to Greenhaven Dr emergency works expected to be higher than original budget".

An upgrade to the Correa Bay boat ramp has had its budget reduced by $101,000 to $124,000 "to offset other increases".

A number of sewerage and water projects have been placed on hold.

A sewer pump station upgrade at Cowper Rd, Umina, costing $362,000 will "be considered as part of future program".

A rising sewer main replacement in Maitland Bay Dr, Ettalong, has been placed on hold with $11,000 of its previous budget of $247,000 to be spent this year.

It "will be completed as part of future program".

A $43,000 water pump station refurbishment at the Rampart, Umina Heights, has also been placed on hold, as has a $10,000 sewer pump station renewal at Lagoon St, Ettalong.

SOURCE:

Central Coast Council agenda 2.1, 2 Dec 2020