Boroondara Council fails to provide further information on $11.7m website

BOROONDARA Council has failed to justify the cost of its $11.7 million “digital transformation project”, despite community backlash. And even a former state premier has weighed into the debate. VOTE IN OUR POLL.

Boroondara Council has spent $11.7 million on its website.

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BOROONDARA Council has failed to provide information to justify the cost of its $11.7 million dollar website, despite community backlash.

The Leader last week revealed councillors unanimously signed off on the publicly funded “digital transformation project” without debate.

The pricey project, won by global consulting giant Deloitte after a “competitive tender” process, and with key phases including the merging of seven websites and upgrading e-form capability, has just entered its second phase.

The Leader last week asked for a breakdown of project costs, and further tender details, but Boroondara Council did not provide the information.

Kew state Liberal MP Tim Smith said the council’s chief executive Phillip Storer needed to explain “what on earth that money’s been spent on”.

Boroondara resident and former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett says the cost of the project raises questions. Picture: Glenn Hampson

And former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, a Boroondara resident, said while the website would serve the community in the long term, the cost of the project raised questions.

“Boroondara Council, over very many councils, has been very good. This seems an extraordinary amount of money, but I don’t know the details. I think you’re entitled to ask the council for the breakdown of the cost,” Mr Kennett said.

Readers responded with outrage when it was revealed councillors signed off on the contract without debate at their February 26 meeting.

News of the council’s splurge comes as bumbling Federal Government bureaucrats faced heat last week after dipping deep into the public purse to pay for a $250,000 Facebook page.

Boroondara Council has not justified the cost of its digital transformation.

Port Phillip Council is also facing pressure over its decision to splash more than $17,000 on consultancy fees for its Middle Park Library redevelopment.

Public documents from Boroondara Council’s meeting state a third phase of the project is yet to come, suggesting the lucrative contract may attract further costs.

Local Government Minister Marlene Kairouz said councils should be upfront with ratepayers about the cost of big projects, while Opposition local government spokesman David Morris said the project seemed to be an “extraordinary waste of money” by the council.

“Ratepayers expect their money to be used wisely, on services they will actually use,” he said.