Banyule Council attacked for slashing services but spending ‘like drunken sailors’

A SUBURBAN council has been slammed for spending money “like drunken sailors” including $1.5m to demolish a house for 42 carparks — at a cost of nearly $35,000-a-space.

Bundoora state Labor MP Colin Brooks thinks Banyule is spending too freely.

A SUBURBAN council has been slammed for spending ratepayers’ money “like drunken sailors” including $1.5 million to demolish a house to build a 42-space public carpark — at a cost of nearly $35,000 a space.

Banyule Council was criticised last month for spending $8000 on meals and luxury accommodation for councillors at a five-star Phillip Island resort for a “strategic planning weekend”.

Its new $31 million civic offices on top of the WaterMarc aquatic facility in Greensborough — dubbed the “Taj Mahal” — will see 320 council staff relocate from offices at Ivanhoe, Rosanna and Greensborough next January.

A Freedom of Information request by Bundoora state Labor MP Colin Brooks revealed that the council settled a compulsory acquisition process to purchase 2 Stubley Court, Greensborough to build a car park for $1.13 million — more than double the initial valuation of the property.

The council says building the car park will cost an extra $300,000.

Bundoora state Labor MP Colin Brooks thinks Banyule is spending too freely.

The council will spend $31m on new offices above WaterMarc. Picture: artists impression

Mr Brooks said it was a disgrace that Banyule was planning to cut $12.5 million in services while spending ratepayers’ money “like drunken sailors”.

“The car spaces have each cost ratepayers more than a new car,” Mr Brooks said.

“Instead of blaming legislation that limits rate increases for their cuts, they should stop living lifestyles of the rich and famous and get their finances under control.”

Sonja Terpstra, from the Banyule United Residents Group (BURG), said the group was concerned about the costs spent in acquiring the property.

“BURG has concerns about whether council’s approach on this matter is in the best interests of residents and questions whether the funds spent on this acquisition is an appropriate use of ratepayer funds given the net result will be 42 car spaces,” she said.

Banyule Mayor Craig Langdon defended the cost of the new car park.

“The cost of providing car parking in a typical multi-decked car parking arrangement within activity centres is very expensive with construction costs typically between $35,000 and $48,000 per space on top of land acquisition costs of between $40,000 and $90,000 per space depending on the land size and location,” he said.

“This means that car parking within activity centres is often as much as $100,000 or more per space.

“The site was also chosen as it presents the opportunity to expand the car park as a decked car parking arrangement in the future and provide many more than 42 car parking spaces.”

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