Market works delay

GREATER Dandenong council will seek to delay works at the Dandenong Market until January 2009, after the councillors back-flipped on their initial decision.
Earlier this month the council rejected a motion by Keysborough South Ward councillor Peter Brown to delay works so that 110 stallholders no longer required under the new market could enjoy one last Christmas trading period.
But council officers warned that a delay could increase costs due to fluctuating steel prices.
This week, Cr Brown put forward a revised notice of motion after the council voted to rescind its previous decision.
The motion, which appeared to be carefully worded, means council officers must now speak with successful tenderer, Contract Control Services, to delay the project’s starting date from October this year to January next year without incurring costs to ratepayers.
Cr Brown said it would be ‘business as usual’ for the stallholders until 1 January 2009.
He argued that ratepayers would receive extra money through an increase in market sales generated by keeping the stallholders during Christmas.
“I’d like to thank all of the councillors for the time they’ve taken in the last two weeks to reflect on this particular matter,” Cr Brown said.
“It will ensure business is better than usual for council in the market in the trading period, and provide all traders, many whom have been loyal the market, with the opportunity to maximise returns in this period.”
Council CEO John Bennie will now negotiate the delay with Contract Control Services before the council signs off on the revised deal.