HIGHLY paid consultant David Engwicht yesterday walked out on Wodonga Council.
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He says his sudden departure was about ethics — he could no longer accept money for nothing.
Mr Engwicht ended his contract a day after advising council staff and almost four months ahead of time.
The man charged with the makeover of High Street and said to be paid $150,000 a year to do so has been sidelined from the task in recent months.
Mr Engwicht says most of his work has now been frozen and raised doubts about whether it would be restarted.
The self-described placemaker said all projects were now pending the outcomes of recommendations from the High Street Revitalisation Reference Group.
“As I have no formal role on the reference group, this process is entirely out of my control,” Mr Engwicht said.
“I cannot ethically take my fee and await the outcomes of this process.”
He was first employed in 2006, his contract extended by 12 months to June 30 in the middle of last year.
His $5.1 million concept for High Street, released in September, was widely panned, community criticism the catalyst for the new group.
Late yesterday Wodonga Council chief executive Gavin Cator paid tribute to Mr Engwicht’s contribution.
“He has left a lasting legacy and shown us what can become of High Street,” he said.
“But until the reference group determines their final activities it is difficult for David to continue and he has recognised that.
“The frustration of not seeing some of those projects move forward may have prompted his decision.”
Mr Engwicht said a number of projects had been close to being realised.
“The Sesame Street makeover has involved 12 months of extensive planning and consultation with merchants and landowners and was ready to go out for tender,” he said.
“Other projects in advanced stages were a tree house and water play area at the corner of Stanley and High streets and a children’s interactive zone at the water tower.
“Taken together, these small-scale mini-makeover projects could have contributed significantly to the revitalisation of High Street, regardless of what design is eventually chosen for the roadway.”
But Mr Cator said the mini-makeovers were in their infancy, some yet to be seen by the council.
“I have been here seven months and have not seen any schematics on what Sesame lane might look like,” Mr Cator said.
“Council never agreed to the tree house and water play area.
“Sesame lane at $70,000 and the tree house at $120,000 ... would have to go to the High Street committee.”
