Wulanda Recreation & Convention Centre branding unveiled while reports remain in confidence

Branding for a controversial multimillion-dollar Mount Gambier project has been revealed, as documents that could explain its massive cost blow outs remain hidden.

Mount Gambier Council has made clear what it wants the public to see and what it doesn’t when it comes to a contentious multimillion-dollar project.

Branding for the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre has been unveiled at the same time it decided a number of documents will remain hidden.

The project, which is on track for completion in Autumn 2022 has been plagued by secrecy surrounding blow out costs.

Artist's impressions of Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre. Picture: Design Inc Co-op

A Tuesday night’s meeting a report was tabled recommending six confidentiality orders be amended to alter their duration and release conditions.

Of the six, five relate to Wulanda.

It recommended a report on its operating model scenarios due for release on December 31, 2021 be kept in confidence until five years after the opening of the centre.

Mount Gambier councillor Paul Jenner. Picture: Louise Agnew Photography

Councillor Paul Jenner amended the recommendation to one year, with Mayor Lynette Martin’s support.

A report covering its funding and another on its budget both tabled on October 17, plus two progress reports would have been reviewed 12 months after successful execution of the contract, will now be reviewed 12 months after the successful completion of the contract.

All have been kept in confidence under Local Government Act as they contain commercial information of a confidential nature which could prejudice or benefit a third party and must be reviewed at least once a year.

At the same meeting, council endorsed the brand identity package for the facility.

Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre Committee presiding member councillor Ben Hood said it was an exciting part of an exciting project.

“The newly developed Wulanda brand is a clean, personable and aspirational design that will allow council to positively reflect the ‘all-of-community’ remit of this state of the art recreation and convention centre,” he said.

“This brand works across many different facets from the splash-zone right through to the professional brand of the convention centre and how we are going to be able to market this new centre and our city throughout the state and throughout the nation.”

Artist‘s impressions of Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre. Picture: Design Inc Co-op

Cr Hood said it was important to acknowledge the spiritual connection of the Boandik Peoples with artwork by local First Nations artist Belinda Bonney commissioned by council and incorporated by Adelaide design agency KWP.

Councillor Steven Perryman said the past two years had shown there would be criticism.

“For those of who are inside this development, we understand and get it, it just might take some members of the community a little bit longer to realise how it all fits together,” he said.