Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government has provided the following answers to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The application submitted by Kingborough Council requested funding to refurbish current facilities and to extend the Dennes Point Hall to become the North Bruny Community Centre, in order to provide a shop, community dining area, community art gallery, hall and medical health and consulting rooms.

(2) The Better Regions funding provided for this project was not subject to any conditions.

(3) Better Regions funding was allocated toward construction and fitout of both the extension and refurbished sections of the Community Centre.

(4) A request to vary the terms of the Funding Agreement can be made to the Department. The request would need to be be assessed and considered by the appropariate delegate. If approved, a revised Schedule to the Agreement would need to be agreed in writing and signed by both parties.

(5) Under Clause 27.2 of the Funding Agreement between the Commonwealth and Kingborough Council, no variation to the Agreement is binding unless agreed in writing and signed by both parties.

(6) Better Regions Projects were monitored throughout their lifecycle with mandatory progress reporting against agreed milestones. Progress payments were based on the provision of sufficient evidence of completion of construction and/or activity stages.

On 15 June 2009, a compliance visit to the project was conducted by an officer of the former Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

(7) Project budget during construction:

This budget identified that in kind contributions were to be provided by Michael Way, Isle Drafting; North Bruny Community and Cultural Centre Committee; Kingston Mitre 10; and Kingborough Council.

The final cost of the project after completion totalled $480,692. The increased cost of the Project was met by Kingborough Council.