ALBURY Council has aborted the pursuit of compensation for discovery of unsuitable soil at the Lavington Sportsground redevelopment which cost ratepayers an unexpected $3.2 million.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillors were presented with legal advice on Monday night in the saga dating back more than a year and agreed to cease any more action on the issues which relate to the creation of the secondary sportsfield.
The reasons for taking no further action haven’t been revealed following the confidential session involving council solicitors, Kell Moore.
“The decision was taken following a thorough investigation, including high-level legal advice,” mayor Kevin Mack said.
“Work continues to progress on the stadium redevelopment with tenders for the construction of the new grandstand and amenities to close next week.
“When the project is completed, we look forward to bringing the community one of the best sporting facilities in regional Australia.
“As the issue remains a legal matter, we can provide no further comment.”
The unsuitable soil covered an area of about 16,000 square metres and varied in depth from 50cm to 1.5m.
Rock was also discovered.
In a report to council in March, leisure facilities team leader Michael Stanton said stopping works would have involved “substantial contractual penalties” in both cost and delay on top of existing costs.
“The only reasonable option to undertake the excavation of the unsuitable material was to proceed on a cost-plus basis,” he said.
“Once the volume of unsuitable material stock-piled onsite was known the subsequent disposal to the (Albury tip) was negotiated with the construction company (Depan Group) on a volume rate basis.”
The unsuitable soil discovery and ripping up of the original design for the secondary sportsfield changerooms facilities has created major changes to the delivery timetable.
- Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here