Early works, including a new playground at Fraser St and some demolition work, will be completed by the end of the year, but the main works on Maude St and Stewart St will commence in the new year to avoid disrupting important Christmas trading.
The council had hoped to accelerate the project by inviting separate tenders for 24-hour and weekend shifts, but Jarvis Delahey Contractors only submitted a standard hours tender.
Mayor Kim O’Keeffe and Cr Shane Sali both declared a conflict of interest regarding the council meeting agenda item due to their associations with businesses in the precinct and did not participate in the debate or vote. Cr Fern Summer was an apology for the meeting.
Cr Seema Abdullah described it as a “momentous occasion”.
“We are indeed one step closer to a redeveloped and rejuvenated Maude St Mall,” she said.
“I am also encouraged by the strong project management methodology that was presented by the contractor.”
Cr Abdullah said the contractor was clearly conscious of the need to minimise disruption to businesses.
To avoid expected delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply issues, the contractor will be able to order materials early to ensure supply and claim payment as “unfixed” while long-lead items will be “free-issued” by the council, including trees, playground equipment and CCTV cameras to de-risk the program or utilise existing supply contracts.
The project has received $8.5 million from the Federal Government and $3.75 million from the Victorian Government with the remainder funded by the council.
The adopted plan will provide for slow-moving vehicle traffic and parking between Fryers St and High St.
Cr Anthony Brophy said there was no bigger or more debated project but there was an adopted plan and now a contractor to deliver it.
“There will be no higher level of public expectation or scrutiny than what we will have here,” he said.
“You will have more opinions than showbags at the Shepp Show. Although perhaps not this year.”
Cr Greg James didn’t support the recommendation on the basis of pavers for the road surface and the risk of damage and replacement costs, the potential disruption if the project isn’t done on time and the cost.
“I think there are other issues we have to tackle first rather than spending $13 million on a short section of road,” he said.
Cr Geoff Dobson said he still had reservations about slow traffic in the mall but was comfortable with what was planned.
“We will all watch this with bated breath hoping that after the 30 years it took to get this far it will work,” he said.
Cr Sam Spinks said she also shared doubts about reintroducing traffic but said it would still be a predominantly pedestrian space.
“Our poor tired old mall is going to have new life breathed into it,” she said.
Cr Rob Priestly said the CBD was a relatively small part of the economy but a big part of how we felt about ourselves as a city.
“I am really looking forward to seeing this project completed.”
Councillors voted 5-1 to approve the tender with Cr James voting against.
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