NT taxpayers fork out $1.1 million for Myilly Point playground asbestos hole

THE NT Government has confirmed $1.1 million has so far been spent on digging a hole to put contaminated asbestos soil in on the site of the Myilly Point playground precinct

An artist's impression of the $2.7 million Myilly Point playground

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THE NT Government has confirmed $1.1 million has so far been spent on digging a hole to put contaminated asbestos soil in on the site of the $2.7 m Myilly Point playground precinct.

When originally announced a year ago, the playground precinct was going to be completed in “early 2020”, but the project has had problems with the amount of asbestos that has had to be dealt with.

Questions were raised in the NT News in late July about project delays, cost blowouts and the large amounts of stockpiled contaminated soil on site.

Plans are for a bitumen carpark to be built over the containment pit holding the contaminated soil.

Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler acknowledged there has been problems with the amount of asbestos encountered by workers on the playground site and could not say if there will be any design changes to the playground because of the cost overrun?

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“While every effort is taken to investigate site conditions prior to tender for construction works, it is often the case that the extent of contamination is not fully understood until work is underway,” she said.

“The estimated cost to date is approximately $1.1 million to investigate, manage and control existing containments within the broader precinct.

“The next stage of works is the installation of the playground.“

With just $1.6 million of the budget remaining that will be spent on a Youth Zone and an Adventure Play Zone.

The Youth Zone includes:

• A basketball half court
• Skate Park area
• Tropical landscaping; and
• Power and water services.

The Adventure Play Zone includes:

• Shaded play equipment;
• Active climbing areas
• Balance beams
• Seating;

Other public space for the precinct includes:

• Shaded central picnic area.
• Barbecues facilities and amenities;
• A walking and running track with one kilometre and one mile (1.6km) options.

CLP Shadow Planning, Infrastructure and Logistics Minister Gerard Maley has taken aim at the government’s handling of the project.

“The Myilly Point playground precinct development shows how bad the Gunner Government is at rolling out infrastructure,” Mr Maley said.

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“The project, which was due to be completed earlier this year, is well behind schedule and more than a million dollars has been spent for little more than a hole in the ground,” he said.

“Many facets of the project like the basketball court and skate park area appear a long way off.

“With the Wet season upon us, the prospect for progress doesn’t look good.

“The Gunner Government must do better on these sorts of projects or Territorians will just keep footing the bill for Labor’s incompetence.”