Wodonga Council receives compensation for cost to repair tiles at WAVES pool

Wodonga Council has confirmed the matter has been closed and compensation has been received, but the exact amount remains under wraps in a deal struck with other parties, Zauner Construction and Ceramic Solutions.

“The council has resolved its claim relating to the Wodonga WAVES complex,” the council’s planning and infrastructure director Leon Schultz said in a statement supplied to The Border Mail.

“The council can disclose that it received compensation for the cost of the rectification of the failed tiling.

“The terms of the settlement are confidential.

“Accordingly, the council will make no further comment on the matter.”

But the decision to keep ratepayers in the dark on the final details has upset Wodonga Ratepayers Association president Ian Deegan.

“It cost $465,000-plus and I want to know if they got that,” he said.

“Ratepayers are also entitled to know if they got that.

“It is our money, the ratepayers’ money, not their money.”

WAVES opened in early 2013, but tiles on the pool floor started coming loose to the point where they had to be replaced.

A tender of $484,181 was awarded to Albury-based FA & CM Morgan Ceramic Tilers in March this year with the final cost of the works being $465,246.

The pool had to be drained to complete the works which delayed the pool’s opening this summer.

Former chief executive Patience Harrington handled the matter for council under delegation.

She said in March last year: “We would be looking to seek all the costs that council has incurred”.

Ms Harrington departed council late last year with Mr Schultz recently completing a stint as the acting chief executive.

He has been replaced in the acting chief executive position by Deb Mudra until either a permanent appointment to the position is made or June 30 – whichever comes first.

Kellie Davies has been appointed acting community development director as cover for Ms Mudra.

Mr Deegan said the seven Wodonga councillors have been invited to attend the ratepayer association’s next meeting at the RSL Club on Tuesday from 7pm.