For months and months we’ve been hearing the same repetitive spin – GESAC is on time and under budget. We’ve also consistently bemoaned the fact that the Pools Steering Committee has not exactly been forthcoming with information. Secrecy has dominated all facets of this project and the committee. Finally, the utopian vision that Lipshutz has been peddling is starting to show some major cracks. Suddenly the picture is not all that rosy for the much vaunted December opening. We also suspect that money is leaking like a sieve from this project – why else the need to enter into higher purchase contracts? ‘Unforseen’ costs such as lawyers, car parks, and heaven knows what else, must surely have blown the budget to smithereens? If so ‘successful’ then why the need for the continued extensive full page advertising in 4 local papers? Yet, we have been hearing the same old story again and again. It is definitely wearing thin.
So now, at the 11th hour it looks like residents will finally get an (edited) version of at least some of what has been going on. Lipshutz is finally admitting that there ARE PROBLEMS, and that the opening date is still unclear. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that the pool doesn’t open until January next year. If council is right in its projected attendance figures of hundreds of thousands, then one month’s delay in the summer period, could impact massively on income. Longer and it could be disastrous. It really is about time that residents were provided with the full picture of what is, and has, been going on.
A good start would be for councillors to demand and receive a full, itemised account on all expenditure, where every single penny is accounted for – and income. And if there are issues and problems, then who is to be held accountable? Is it really all the weather’s fault? the builders’ fault? The Steering Committee’s fault? The possible questionable quality of a business plan? And the most vital question – how much more money is this going to cost ratepayers that hasn’t been budgeted for?
Here’s what was said at Wednesday night’s Council Meeting:
LIPSHUTZ: Stated that committee meets monthly and discusses progress. ‘One of the biggest problems ….is the builder and the difficulties (for completion on time). Said that at NEXT council meeting there would be a ‘full report as to that issue’ (and) ‘the various activities at GESAC’. Concerns ‘that all members of the community have is the completion date’. Lipshutz expected ‘that would be discussed at next meeting’ and ‘once we know how the builder is going’ (building and plumbing issues, then they’ll be able to give some definite date as to when the pool will open)’.
PENHALLURIACK: stated that he had attended some meetings and that there was another one on tomorrow (Thursday) ‘ I’m concerned that this council has too much in confidence material (these minutes lack) ‘detail’….I endorse what Cr. Lipshutz said. It was a full and frank discussion about the progress….and I think they should be recorded in the minutes…..there are one set of minutes for assemblies…this is a steering committee and I believe we either have this in camera …..or alternatively we have full and frank minutes published”.
Glen Eira Debates 
November 5, 2011 at 8:36 AM
Sounds alot like the desal plant. One would assume that the contract has in it very tight performance clauses that force the builder into paying the council hefty penalties that will make up for any lost income throughout the summer season. If they look like missing the deadline then why are they not working extra shifts and on Sundays? There can be no excuses if it is not opened on time. None whatsoever.
November 5, 2011 at 9:09 AM
You’re assuming two things here. One, that the contract is watertight, and two, that the builder is going to willingly hand over whatever fines are applicable. I would imagine that a big company like Hansen would fight tooth and nail. This means more “legal advice” and more cost to residents. I’m not even thinking of the protracted nature of potential court proceedings, their costs and time.
There are many other hidden costs here that I don’t remember seeing anything written about. Tang has mentioned I seem to recall the environmental impact of the pool. But this doesn’t include heating and cooling costs per annum. We’ve got no figures for this. Again, with such a huge structure running practically 18 hours per day I would expect these costs to be astronomical. And that is to continue year after year. There just has not been nearly enough up front disclosure on this whole project.
November 5, 2011 at 1:06 PM
Hansens would love dealing with the Glen Eira Council. They know that they are dealing with public servants with very little commercial experience that are tend to be very generous with other peoples money. I agree that getting money from builders is impossible. Surely they would be holding some final payment that is paid when the keys are handed over. It was obvious that the pool was needed for the summer.
Hopefully it will open before Christmas and start to generate some cash.
There must be a budget estimate somewhere that anticipates a certain income. Wonder what how much that is.
November 5, 2011 at 8:54 AM
I hope they are going to invite David Feldman to open the new pool. It was his efforts that got it off the ground in the early days.
November 5, 2011 at 11:28 AM
(MODERATORS: Phrase deleted) if that old windbag Lipshutz is doing the oversight, the man’s about as sharp as bowling ball, and would lose a debate with a doorknob.
Lets see if it holds water.
Whoops that wasn’t in the contract
Next years headline, Glen Eira has new Library on East Boundary Rd, and it need another 200 grand to bring back the children playground so as to be near at hand.
Against – Pilling, Penhallriack Ford, For -Tang, Hyams, Lipshutz, Esacoff, Magee and the waste of time and space, guy.
November 5, 2011 at 12:18 PM
On a totally different topic (Audit Committee membership) readers might find the following item from the agenda of Bayside City Countil (November 8th 2011) of value in once more contrasting the secrecy of Glen Eira with what happens in other councils. This is copied verbatim from the agenda:
Purpose of the Report
This reports proposes to re-appoint Mr John Thomson (Chairman) and Mr Michael Said as external members of the Audit Committee.
2. Background The Audit Committee consists of three external members and two Councillors members. Two of the external members, Mr John Thomson and Mr Michael Said terms are due to expire in the
coming months. The third external member Mr John (AJ) Purcell was recently appointed in June this year.
Mr Thomson was appointed to the Audit Committee in September 2007 and is the current Chairman his term expires on 31 December 2011.
The second member Mr Michael Said was appointed to the Audit Committee in February 2009 and his term expires on 17 February 2012.
3. Discussion
Given the timing of the expiration of tenure for both members and given the experience and knowledge that both members have with the organisation and wider local government network it is recommended both external members be re-appointed.
It is also notable that Council is required to appoint two new Councillor representatives to the Audit Committee for a 12 month period given Cr Hayes’s two year tenure will expire in December and Cr del Porto has indicated he cannot continue on the Audit Committee given he will be resuming his full time work commitments in 2012.
To ensure continuity of the Audit Committee particularly over the next year and following the Council elections in 2012 it is highly recommended that both external members be reappointed for a further three year term.
4. Implications
4.1. Policy
There are no policy implications associated with this report.
4.2. Legal/Statutory requirements
It is a requirement of the Local Government Act 1989 to appoint external members to the Audit
Committee.
4.3. Financial and resource implications
There are no financial or resource implications associated with the re-appointment of Audit
Committee members
4.4. Environmental impacts
There are no environmental impacts associated with this report.
Page 67 of 105
Ordinary Meeting of Council Meeting Tuesday, 8 November 2011
4.5. Social impacts
There are no social impacts associated with this report.
5. Summary
That Council re-appoints two external Audit Committee members for a term of approximately three
years.
Recommendation
That Council:
1. re-appoints Mr John Thomson as External Member to the Audit Committee for a period to
conclude on 31 December 2014; and
2. re-appoints Mr Michael Said as External Member of the Audit Committee for a period to
conclude on 17 February 2015.
Page
November 5, 2011 at 5:29 PM
Newton is never going to replace yes men such as Gibbs and McLean on the Audit Committee. Performance means nothing, it’s keeping power that all that counts.
November 5, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Hi Guys,
Secrecy, is a good indicator of (Moderators: word deleted) cover-ups.
November 6, 2011 at 8:54 AM
Because of the limited details (headings only) contained in the Pools Steering Committee Minutes and the continual practice of loose leaf insertion in the Ordinary Council Meeting agenda, I have never placed a lot of faith in Pools Steering Committee Chairman’s (Lipshutz) verbal reports (not recorded in Council Minutes) that everything in going well and the GESAC is on track to open in December, 2011.
Alarm bells really started ringing when, at the 20th September, 2011, Council Meeting . Cr. Penhalluriack asked to attend the next meeting of the Pools Steering Committee Meeting as an observer. Despite this being a legal entitlement of a Councillor, previous past requests to attend these meetings had never eventuated.
. Lipshutz response was that he didn’t know when the next Pools Steering Committee Meeting would be but he would advise Penhalluriack later. The largest and most contentious capital works project ($50m and rising) ever undertaken by Glen Eira and the chairman of the oversight committee doesn’t know when the next meeting is!!!
. Knowing the hoopla that surrounds opening ceremonies no official opening date set.
Louder alarm bells rang at the 11th October, 2011, Council Meeting when nothing, nada, zilch was said on the progress of GESAC or an expected opening date.
Sirens rang at the 2nd November, 2011, Council Meeting when the Pools Steering Committee Minutes of 6th October, 2011 (why wasn’t this one page headings only minutes included in the October Council meeting) were loosely inserted in Council’s agenda. This close to opening and
. for the first time it is reported that perhaps all is not well with GESAC
. that reports are being prepared and will be presented at the next Council Meeting
. in discussions of other matters (eg. toilets), the need to delay spending and cash flow concerns are constantly mentioned.
. still no opening date.
Hold on to your hats folks, all this skulduggery (verifiable in Council Minutes)indicates this will be BIG!!!!.
November 6, 2011 at 6:39 PM
The hold up looks to be the pool section. The entrance, most of the carpark, basketball stadium and even maybe the Gym could be ready by the end of the month…..let’s hope invitations are in the mail and Council have sorted out the allocation of court space. But given that there is little information on the GESAC website, Council minutes and even fewer updates on facebook (whatever happened to the monthly photo updates?), probably won’t be ready till well after Christmas. Ho, ho, ho!
November 6, 2011 at 9:07 PM
If this is the case and the complex is delayed then I wonder what will happen to all those people that have already paid their memberships. Will they get a pro-rata refund? How much is this worth? If I’ve paid for a year from December to December and I don’t get to use the pool for a couple of months then I’d certainly want a 2 months refund. That could well and truly be over $100.
November 6, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Fancy that … in the Pools Section!! Lipshutz (Chair of the Pools Steering Committee, whose minutes are not worth the sheet of paper they are written on) reported at the 20th September Council Meeting that the pools were being tiled and the target of a December 2011 opening date will be met.
Mind you the exact date in December is not defined.
2 months later and I say pull the other leg and take a drive by. December aint happening, There is still months of work ahead externally ….. who knows what an internal inspection will show. Councilor’s should have some insight into the internals but with this current crop (aside from Margie’s developer spouse) I doubt it
Gues what, the building industry closes down over the Christmas/New Year period) so we are looking at March, Aril opening.
Good going Lipsutz, your cediility is shot, do you really expect me to believe this has suddenly happpened
November 7, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Anon 5-11 at 5.29pm you are an uneducated imbicile. The CEO appoints no one to the Audit Committee, is not a member of the Committee and has no controll in any way of the Committee. This is a Committee directed and wholly answerable to Councillors. Fool go away.
November 8, 2011 at 10:18 AM
Things must be bad. Council is now advertising GESAC in the Bayside Leader – full page colour. This has not occured previously. The ads have been in the “local” Caulfield, Port Phillip, Moorabbin and Kingston Leaders – not in Bayside. With one month to go it is highly suspicious why money should now be thrown at Bayside – unless this is a last ditch, desperate attempt to raise more funds.
November 8, 2011 at 5:01 PM
C60 agreement said that the Caulfield racecourse centre park, Booran road park and some palliside fencing would be all be completed by April next year. Only 5 months to go and not a sod of soil yet turned. At least something is happening at GESAC.