Mosman Council blames ailing air-conditioning system for $250K spend before amalgamations

A SYDNEY mayor says it gets so hot in his office he can’t last a whole day at work - so ratepayers have been stung $250k for air con repairs.

Major Cr Peter Abelson - Mosman Municipal Council meeting with new council members. The council also invites residents to sit...

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MOSMAN mayor Peter Abelson won’t be sweating on his council’s looming merger - he’ll be ensconsed in air conditioned luxury, after securing $250,000 of ratepayers cash to spend cooling the council chambers.

The money is being allocated despite uncertainty as to whether the council will even be in the building long term, with amalgamations on the horizon.

Only one councillor, Simon Menzies, voted against replacing the fickle and ageing air-con system, suggesting Cr Abelson grab a “$25 pedestal fan from Ewen’s Hardware” instead.

But he was outnumbered, and the council’s decision to go ahead means that work on the replacement of Mosman Civic Centre’s ventilation system is expected to begin in June or July. The $250,000 spend is the first part of a five-stage renovation project estimated to cost $850,000.

Because the council only has money in its budget for this first stage, cooling is being prioritised for the executive suites - including the mayor and general manager’s office, the councillors’ lounge and the council chamber itself.

Mosman councillor Roy Bendall says the old air-conditioning system in the Civic Centre poses work, health and safety concerns. Picture: David Swift

Cr Menzies told the meeting on Tuesday last week that the decision should be deferred until the outcome of the amalgamations process is known, in case the building becomes surplus to any new council’s requirements.

But Cr Roy Bendall said there were occupational health and safety concerns, and the building would not be “torn down” immediately after the merger process was settled.

Mosman Council general manager Veronica Lee. Picture: Craig Wilson

In response to questions, general manager Veronica Lee said the system was almost 20 years old and patch jobs had been unsuccessful.

Mayor Peter Abelson said he was unable to work in his office for more than three or four hours.

After the meeting, Cr Menzies said: “The mayor’s personal comfort could be addressed with a $25 pedestal fan from Ewen’s Hardware.”

“In all likelihood the offices will be vacant in six weeks,” he added.

Mosman Mayor Peter Abelson. Picture: Craig Greenhill

In response, Cr Abelson said most councillors agreed the building would still be in use for some years.

Several offices already have portable fans and heaters

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