As we’ve reported in an earlier post, the Duncan Mackinnon Pavilion fiasco is ongoing, yet residents are continually left in the dark. Even more alarming is this throwaway line from the amended budget papers set down for decision tonight –
increased funding in the 2015-2016 capital works program to complete Duncan MacKinnon Pavilion ($1.36m)
The original published draft budget stated – Duncan Mackinnon Pavilion – (to complete construction during 2014-15)
Not one single word has come out from councillors or administrators as to what is really going on with this project. There has been no explanation of:
- why the increased costs?
- why the nearly 2 year delay?
Since The Leader is now providing a glimpse of the Maxstra (the original contractor) position we believe it is worthwhile to ponder the following questions and to seek answers:
- will this ‘dispute’ also end up in court?
- if so, how much will this cost ratepayers?
- is the extra $1.36 million to demolish what is already standing?
- why oh why can’t this council get major projects delivered on time and on budget?
- Is it simply a case of inability to handle, oversee, and manage major projects (aka GESAC)?
- how can a council contract two different builders yet face the same allegations of poor ‘communication’? Either the tender process and selection is poor, or there is some major validity to the contractors’ claims. Either way, it is residents who are ultimately short changed.
- Finally we remind readers of the Pilling claims as to keeping residents informed. As per usual, nothing eventuates just empty and broken promises!
Glen Eira Debates 
June 24, 2014 at 1:35 PM
If blokes are walking off the job that they’ve been contracted to do then there is something very amiss. Council basically doesn’t have the experience to run anything bigger than a shoebox. If they did have the expertise and knowledge then there wouldn’t be these continual bun fights that ratepayers keep paying for. I’m waiting for the centenary park pavilion contract to blow up soon.
June 24, 2014 at 3:31 PM
If subcontractors are walking off the job it’s because they are not getting payed. Council does not hire Subcontractors, the builder does.
June 24, 2014 at 7:23 PM
Didn’t Council do any checks at all on the builder. What do the hundreds of bureaucrats at Glen Eira Council do?
June 24, 2014 at 5:22 PM
I’d also be interested in knowing the considerable cost involved in changing back to sprinkler systems in our ovals after the massive amounts spent on putting in drip systems that failed.
More incompetence being covered-up by the Council. If anyone stands in my Ward promising an external audit and management review they’ll have my vote.
The cost to ratepayers due to waste in undertaking unnecessary works and the bungling of others is horrendous.
June 24, 2014 at 6:22 PM
There will never be an audit of anything controversial whilst long time veterans Gibbs and McLean are on the audit committee. That is where change is long overdue.
June 24, 2014 at 5:26 PM
“His Worship” the Mayor I’m sure will welcome the opportunity to explain Council’s and his personal silence, and the reasons for the additional funding for Duncan McKinnon and how the extra money was so easily found. I almost choked when I read the same tired, outdated, and fallacious motherhood statements concerning governance and transparency in the Agenda.
June 24, 2014 at 6:22 PM
A few million here or there is never a problem when you can keep hiking up rates. Creative accounting helps too.
June 24, 2014 at 6:24 PM
Pilling has given up the residents of Murrumbeena faster than he gave up on the Greens.
June 24, 2014 at 9:08 PM
Checking out Pilling’s stalled blog is mind blowing. The project was supposed to start “mid 2011”. The costs mentioned have risen by millions with each post. Three years down the track and for all we know the job has to start from scratch again, but the price keeps going up and another year is added to the completion time. Towering skyscrapers can be built in a shorter time.
This council can’t run anything to schedule and to original budgets and they can’t stay out of trouble either. I’d bet that there is no other council in the state that has so many problems with builders and I’d also bet that no other council in the state would even contemplate of spending $10m on a bunch of changerooms and a pathetic little grandstand.
June 25, 2014 at 6:48 PM
Talk to Stonnington about Maxstra. They also have an uncompleted pavillion at Glen Iris Park.
June 24, 2014 at 9:11 PM
his has gone to where the grass in bluer
June 25, 2014 at 8:39 AM
Pilling the somersaulter!
June 25, 2014 at 10:39 PM
He now wears a suite and is acting like the other Liberal in Caulfield. \Complete change of mind.