Precinct cost ‘up’

ERIN PEARSON
THE cost of Torquay’s “community and civic precinct” has increased $6 million on initial estimates, according to Surf Coast Shire statements.
The shire said this week the cost of precinct’s “first stage” was $46 million. In December the shire said it had delivered stage one “on-time and on-budget at a cost of $44 million”.
Reports in 2009 said the project would cost $40 million, 15 per cent less than the 2012 figure.
Shire chief executive officer Mark Davies said council was “now committed to the completion of stage two…with stage three to commence once further government funding was secured”.
In last week’s Independent councillor Ron Humphrey said council would consider a plan to intensify a residental and commercial development in exchange for land. Cr Humphrey said council was now too close to its prudential limit to borrow money for the land as part of the civic centre project.