Two local MPs have criticised the Campbelltown Billabong project, one describing it as “poorly planned, poorly thought through and poorly executed’’.
Letters from Dr Mike Freelander, the member for Macarthur, and Anoulack Chanthivong, the member for Macquarie Fields, were tabled at last night’s Campbelltown Council meeting.
Mayor Georges Greiss informed council that he had requested all local MPs to provide their views on the Billabong ahead of last night’s vote on whether entry to the Billabong would be free or not.
“I want to make clear that what I am doing is looking for a way forward regarding this project – not the rehashing of history,’’ Cr Greiss said.
Cr Darcy Lound, the Labor leader on council, said the concerns of the local MPs were “sensible’’.
Dr Freelander wrote in his letter that “Campbelltown would have benefitted far greater if funding was spent in other areas’’.
“I also believe the community has lost out on more beneficial projects,’’ he said in his letter.
“The ongoing maintenance costs [of the Billabong] will be huge and there has been no transparency about this at all.
“I remain deeply concerned with the long term success and feasibility of this project.’’
Equally critical in his letter was Mr Chanthivong, a former mayor of Campbelltown and currently a minister in the Minns Labor Government.
“The Billabong project has been poorly managed from the start, and this is evidenced by significant budget blowouts, the absence of an initial business case, and consistent project delays,’’ Mr Chanthivong said.
“The audit conducted by KPMG revealed the true cost of the Billabong has blown out by $16 million, from $18.75 million to $31 million.
“Adding the cost of drainage works brought forward using money from the stormwater levy takes the total cost of the Billabong to more than $42 million – and rising,’’ Mr Chanthivong said.
“It is imperative that Campbelltown Council demonstrate the upmost accountability and transparency for the remainder of the project.’’
Council voted, unanimously, for free entry to the Billabong for the first 18 months.
Currently, the expectation is that it will open to the public next March.
Ironic that this criticism comes from Labor parliamentarians when Labor has lost control of the council. Particularly ironic as the original incentive came from the Labor council when it was in complete control of council. Why was there no criticism at that early stage?