David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, upon notice, on 18 December 2012:

With reference to the funding allocated under the Better Regions Program for the redevelopment of the North Bruny Community Centre:

(1) In the original application put forward by the Kingborough Council for the redevelopment of the centre, what was cited as requiring redevelopment and what were the proposed new additions.

(2) Was the funding provided for the redevelopment of the centre subject to any conditions; if so, what were those conditions.

(3) Were the additions of medical rooms and postal facilities contractual obligations under the original Better Regions Program grant, or was it expected that they would be built using that grant.

(4) Under what conditions can the plans outlined in the original contract be changed, and what approvals are or would be required for changes to these plans.

(5) To what extent could the plans be changed without approval from the department.

(6) What checks and balances are in place to ensure that entities have complied with their contractual obligations under this funding.

(7) Can a detailed breakdown be provided of the costs and expenditures for the redevelopment of the centre.

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