Dear Members,
You may have read an article in today's Noosa News under the heading of 'Contract for repairs to lock wear and tear", a report concerning the letting of a Contract for these Works. It would appear as though the Council has signed a Contract for the "repair" of the lock for the sum of $1,822,000 - $800,000 over the Council's budget. These additional funds would be obtained through imposing additional levies on the waterfront residents.
The NWRA Committee is in communications with the Council. A delay of at least 2 weeks in the processing of the contract has been requested, in order for the new NWRA Committee to understand the scope of the project and the decision-making behind this very extensive refurbishment project. While the previous and current NWRA Committees have engaged with council regarding the refurbishment needs of the lock and have had visibility to the Council's Noosa Lock Assessment Report of October 2020, we are concerned by the significant increase in the cost of the project. We are looking to get clarity around the process before reporting back to you on our findings.
Neale Bertram
President
Neale, this proposal will cost affected ratepayers $3,000 on top of the existing rates. I think the NWRA should be urging the elected Council Officials to engage in a proper whole of community consultation over this important issue. I have heard that Council staff had advised the Councillors that the community had been consulted and were in agreement. Which everyone reading this will know that this is not true