A $7.6 million dollar upgrade to the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre has been questioned as businesses struggle to survive the impact of COVID-19.
The “biophilic design” of the centre will include two ponds connected by “a river” in the foyer.
Hobsons Bay council awarded Rork Projects a contract worth $7.15 million plus GST for the Altona Civic Centre, Customer Service and Community Meeting Space Project.
A council report states “the two pond fountains are also included as both a visual and aural connection to water, but also in symbolic connection with local coastal and inland waterways”.
“A key feature is a meeting room overlooking a 100mm deep body of water.”
Altona Village Traders Association liaison officer Sharon Walsh said the expenditure on the civic centre was badly timed as businesses were struggling to survive the coronavirus crisis.
“Businesses are going to the wall and they’ve got a bloody river running through their foyer,” she said.
Trader president Kim Walsh said he had been approached by many people concerned that it was “an absolute extravagant waste of ratepayers’ money”.
“I am aware that a number of people are extremely concerned about the amount of money that has been spent on the renovations at council when there are so many people are doing it tough out there,” he said
“I am very very much aware of a heap of people who are shaking their heads.”
The council allocated $4 million towards the project in last year’s budget and $3.525 million in this year’s draft budget.
Corporate services director Andrew McLeod said the contract was awarded prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The Hobsons Bay Civic Centre was built in 1963 under the City of Altona, when the city and its demands were at a much smaller scale,” he said.
“The building was deemed no longer fit for purpose and was unable to sustain and support council’s future service delivery,” he said.
“If left in its previous condition, the projected building maintenance was estimated at $12 million over the next 10 years.
“Refurbishing the building, using environmental sustainable design, will preserve the building well into the future and is a practical and sound investment.”
