The commencement of the Bega Sporting Complex redevelopment was delayed due to a number of setbacks during the detailed scoping and planning phases of the project. This has included cost escalations during and post COVID-19, additional planning approval requirements and complex land tenure constraints.
These issues are now resolved but required some redesign to get to the point where the project is deliverable within funding constraints.
Due to the setbacks and in order to deliver the project, Bega Valley Shire Council has submitted funding variations to the NSW Government to extend the delivery of the project up to 30 months compared to the originally proposed finalisation date. This is required to ensure the funds are available for Council and to ensure the NSW Government honours its commitment.
The bureaucratic process requires the NSW Government to move the funds previously allocated to the 2023/24 budget into the 2024/25 budget, and funds previously allocated to the 2024/25 budget into the 2025/26 budget. The amounts stay the same. This is purely a bureaucratic process of the NSW Government to ensure projects meet their agreed delivery milestones.
CEO Anthony McMahon said from a Council perspective, this has been a challenge.
"There have been unforeseen planning setbacks we have had to deal with, but we can't wait to get started with this highly important community project," Mr McMahon said.
"With the planning issues now out of the way, we are awaiting the confirmation of the funding variation.
"We are confident the funding will be approved, but we obviously need confirmation before we can proceed with signing a contract. The head contractor for the project has been extremely accommodating.
"We have had positive conversations with the Minister for Sport and we await confirmation of the funding variation from the NSW Treasurer in the coming weeks."
