CLP accuses Gunner government of fiscal mismanagement over million dollar blowouts on two major projects
The CLP has accused the Gunner government of fiscal mismanagement after it was revealed two of its major projects have blown out by about 50 per cent of their original budget.
Politics
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THE Country Liberal Party has accused the Gunner government of fiscal mismanagement after it was revealed two of its major projects have blown out by about 50 per cent of their original budget.
Opposition spokesman for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics, Gerard Maley said news that the cost of the government’s Myilly Point playground development had ballooned to $4 million, and its demolition of the Chan Building had blown out by $1 million, showed the Gunner government was unable to properly manage its finances.
“This morning on ABC radio Darwin Member for Port Darwin, Paul Kirby, admitted the Myilly Point development – which is in his electorate and originally budgeted for $2.7 million – will cost more than $4 million when it is complete,” he said.
“This admission comes as Opposition questioning revealed the cost to demolish the Chan Building has blown out by $1 million – and the deadline delayed almost 12 months.
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“How can Territorians trust the Gunner Government to manage any major project on time or on budget, when Labor oversees consistent and significant cost blow outs to projects on sluggish time frames?”
The CLP said other economic blunders on the Gunner government’s record included a $14 million blowout on the construction of Garramilla Boulevard, a $7 million overspend on the State Square underground car park and spending $12 million on the Darwin Turf Club grandstand Turf Club and $2.7 million on the Cavenagh St shade structure.
A spokeswoman for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler said government project costs were under control.
“The Territory Government works within a $1 billion plus infrastructure budget,” she said.
“The Myilly Point landscaping and playground project is being delivered within the wider program of Infrastructure works across the Territory, and any increases in project costs are absorbed through the savings being realised on other projects.
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“For example, Zuccoli School Stage 2 was budgeted at $30 million and had a saving of over $6 million, (and) Keep River Road had a saving of $10 million which can be applied to other projects that deliver benefits to Territorians.”
The spokeswoman also said the government was looking into “larger contingencies” to manage the costs of asbestos and remediation.
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