An independent assessment and audit of the Campbelltown Billabong has been ordered after three local MPs questioned both the cost and transparency surrounding the controversial project.
Mayor George Greiss announced the audit at last night’s council meeting.
He told council state MP for Campbelltown Greg Warren and the Federal Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, had written to the council to express concerns over the Billabong.
A third MP, the State Member for Macquarie Fields, Mr Anoulack Chanthivong, has also previously written to council with a raft of questions about the cost and transparency issues surrounding the Billabong.
“In the spirit of open, transparent and good governance, I have requested the general manager to immediately undertake an independent assessment and audit of the Campbelltown Billabong project,’’ Cr Greiss said.
“As part of the independent assessment, I have requested that Cr Morrison, Cr Hunt and Cr Chivers oversee the development of the scope for the terms of reference and provide input into the selection criteria of the independent auditor.
“I have also suggested that the audit include a review of the project’s past, present and future projected costs to ensure the project is delivered within the timeframes and the budget as described in the June council report.
“Furthermore, I invite Mr Greg Warren, Dr Mike Freelander and Mr Anoulack Chanthivong and all councillors to be engaged in the process and provide relevant information to the auditor for their consideration.
“While I have confidence that staff will ensure the project is delivered within the council approved budget and within the timeframes provided in the June council report, it is my view that it is in the council’s interest to remove any doubt that may exist over the project,’’ he said.
In June, Cr Greiss tabled a mayoral minute which stated that the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands project would cost $31 million and have around $2 million annual operating cost.
Council had agreed to provide $3.75 million towards the project in 2018, but after approving a different design in 2020 agreed to chip in another $12.25 million.
This year it has come to light that stormwater mitigation work in the vicinity of the Billabong was accelerated and undertaken to enable the project to progress at a cost of a further $7 million.
All of this occurred before the current mayor was elected.
Has anybody noticed the huge volume of water that runs through the art gallery in heavy rain. I could be wrong but Fred Fisher does not like his creek been disturbed.
An independent assessment and audit, what a great idea. I suspect we can already guess what the outcome of that will be. Such a huge amount of money spent on one small plot of land! The basic issue of parking seems to be inadequately addressed. I also wonder why Bradbury Pool was flooded for the first time ever after the flow of the creek was disturbed?