Billabong Parklands: Budget blowout, construction delays revealed in independent audit

The long-awaited water wonderland oasis Billabong Parkland – a lagoon set to transform the heart of Campbelltown – has almost doubled in cost in a shock budget blowout with its opening significantly delayed.

Progress shots of the Billabong Parklands project at Campbelltown in May 2023.

A highly anticipated aquatic playground has been plagued by a budget blowout and lengthy delays an independent audit has revealed.

A report by KPMG – a global professional services firm – reveals the cost of the Billabong Parklands development had blown out by $16m, from $18.75m to $34.65m, with the completion of the project delayed by 15 months.

The landmark project – initially touted to welcome 500,000 visitors each year – is set to include a range of water play facilities, parklands and amenities across a 4ha site, including a stream, swimming lagoon and a zero-depth play area.

The recreational facility is being built at Apex Park, beside Bradbury Oval, and the landscape features of the design are based on the Dharawal National Park and Georges River.

The audit was ordered by Campbelltown Council following concerns raised by Campbelltown state MP Greg Warren, Macquarie Fields state MP Anoulack Chanthivong and Macarthur federal MP Mike Freelander about the project cost and transparency of funding.

Artist impression of the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands project.

The report notes challenges in the development included the presence of asbestos, variations to design and scope, schedule delays, Covid-19 impacts and extreme weather events.

KPMG found the early phases of the project were undertaken rapidly, leading to the selection of a site without adequate due diligence for potential risks, such as contamination. It also found the project lacked a detailed business case.

Campbelltown MP Greg Warren said it was concerning the budget had blown out by so much.

“I acknowledge our community’s deep concerns when you’re talking about the level of delay in a project up into the millions of dollars,” he said. “It needs to be taken seriously. The project has been a disaster to say at best.”

The report also notes council had contributed 20 per cent to the total funding amount provided by the Western Parkland City Liveability Project.

Aerial shot of the site. Picture: Campbelltown City Council

The report says there was a lower level of “maturity” in the project’s delivery before 2022 due to lack of documentation supporting key decisions such as design changes.

However, KMPG states council had since developed better practices with records of regular meetings to monitor the progress of the Billabong Parklands.

KPMG also notes council’s additional funds allocated to the project have a funding strategy in place to replenish the reserves over a six-year period.

It says council had already replenished $5.7m so far, and was ahead of the schedule.

Campbelltown Council director of city lifestyles Scott Grant acknowledged the early challenges of the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands project.

“In response to those early challenges, a robust project management framework was implemented to address the complexity of this project and ensure the successful delivery of this unique regional parkland,” he said.

“The Campbelltown Billabong Parklands promises to be an exciting destination within the heart of our city centre that will provide a long-term cultural and recreational benefit for the Campbelltown community.”

At its public meeting in December 2020, the council resolved to invest an additional $12.25m to deliver a complete vision for the Campbelltown Billabong Parklands and later endorsed a revised project completion date of September 2023.