CEO refutes claims of Aquatic Centre project delays

Bundaberg council’s CEO Steve Johnston refuted claims of delays and cost overruns to the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre project, while the expected date of completion remains unclear.

An amenities block on the aquatic centre site was built on a foundation of uncompacted landfill that included garbage and glass bottles, leading to out-of-sequence remediation work, which the NewsMail understands is costing thousands of dollars per day.

Bundaberg Regional Council chief executive Steve Johnston has refuted claims that out-of-sequence works for the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre project had caused delays and cost overruns.

In a media statement released on Friday, Mr Johnston said “the project remains on time and on budget”.

“In fact, elements of the construction are well ahead of the original schedule.”

Mr Johnston said the council and Woollam Constructions, the contractor building the Aquatic Centre, “are working collaboratively to deliver a high-quality project”.

“Council has been fully transparent in terms of the project and residents are encouraged to utilise the project page on ourbundabergregion.com.au as a single source of truth.”

The project page states the Aquatic Centre construction will be completed by the end of 2024, weather permitting.

Bundaberg Regional Council chief executive Steve Johnston has refuted claims that out-of-sequence works for the Bundaberg Aquatic Centre project have caused delays and cost overruns.

This contrasts with statements made by councillor Steve Cooper following Tuesday’s budget meeting that the council has “two years to go on delivering” the Aquatic Centre.

“It won’t be before the next election ... it will be after that, so the end of the following year,” Mr Cooper.

Council elections are scheduled for March 2024, meaning that the Aquatic Centre will be delivered at the end of 2025 according to Mr Cooper’s statement.

When questioned on the discrepancy between the project page and Mr Cooper’s statement, a council spokesperson said “construction of the aquatic centre is expected to be completed by the end of 2024/early 2025. Operations will begin in 2025”.

In the same media statement, Woollam Constructions regional manager Mitch Perry said no out-of-sequence works had occurred throughout the project.

“The project has been and continues to be delivered methodically, safely and on program,” Mr Perry said.

“At no point throughout the project have works been performed out of sequence, without necessary remediation works occurring, nor have they stopped due to unsuitable foundations or uncompacted landfill.”

A source familiar with the project said unplanned work on the $83million Bundaberg Aquatic Centre was causing delays and cost overruns.

The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said unplanned work on the Walker Street project had led to contract variations and out-of-sequence works.

The source also said contract variations in excess of $300,000 had been requested by Woollam Constructions for other unplanned work required due to oversights and lack of documentation.

The out-of-sequence works included remedial work required due to the centre being built on landfill.

‘Not our job’: Council stonewalls on aquatic centre costs

A Bundaberg Aquatic Centre Master Concept Plan presentation document obtained by NewsMail lists five options for the Aquatic Centre site in Walker Street, a location historically used as a landfill.

While some options were clear of landfill, and thus not requiring remediation, the final site was chosen knowing it was being built on land that was once landfill.

The final site for the Aquatic Centre was chosen in the knowledge it would be built on former landfill, and thus would require investigations to determine the extent of landfill and remediation requirements.

“Delivery of the Aquatic Centre (is) therefore subject to geotechnical and environmental investigations to determine extent of landfill and remediation requirements - with attendant cost and timescale uncertainties,” the report reads.

Despite this, the source claimed construction has started on parts of the aquatic centre without the necessary remediation work being done by the contractor.

NewsMail has obtained photos of plumbing for an amenities block at the aquatic centre, built on a foundation of uncompacted landfill, including garbage and glass bottles.

The source involved with the project said when Woollam Constructions realised the foundations were unsuitable they halted construction on the amenities block in order to perform remedial work which had not previously been planned.

An amenities block at Bundaberg’s new aquatic centre was being built on a foundation of uncompacted landfill including garbage and glass bottles, requiring out of sequence remediation work adding to the cost of the project.

Councillor Steve Cooper confirmed there had been “a couple” of variations to the project’s fixed price contract.

“Any variations have to be agreed to by council, and we are on track with that; there has been too many issues,” Mr Cooper said.

“We’ve had to talk about a couple of things and nothing more.”

Mr Cooper said the council’s Audit and Risk Committee, which is overseeing the project, was not aware of any issues related to uncompacted landfill on this site.

“I sit on the Audit and Risk Committee, and we get a full report at every ... meeting on where it’s at,” he said.

“I haven’t had that information.”

Councillor Steve Cooper said the council’s Audit and Risk Committee, which is overseeing the project, was not aware of any out-of-sequence works or penalties incurred by the project.

When asked questions seeking details and costings for the variations mentioned by Mr Cooper, a council spokesperson referred to the minutes from the Audit and Risk Committee meeting on Tuesday, June 27.

The minutes state that the manager of council’s Major Projects department, Adam Wyatt, provided an update on the aquatic centre project, noting that the contractor had taken on a new project manager and wet weather had caused a delay of a few days.

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The minutes note that information contained in a paper provided to the committee would be noted, however no details on the contents of the paper were included in the minutes.

There is no mention of out-of-sequence works or penalties, nor confirmation that out-of-sequence works were not occurring, in the minutes referred to by the council.

Woollam Constructions has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as CEO refutes claims of Aquatic Centre project delays