Council’s market bargain

GREATER Dandenong council has shaved $800,000 from the price of the Dandenong Market redevelopment, after delaying it, despite earlier fears from officers the price could soar.
Greater Dandenong council this week said the $17.4 million market cost would now be $16.6 million following negotiations between council executives and successful tenderer, Contract Control Services.
Greater Dandenong CEO John Bennie said the savings largely came from the proposed Market Square roof.
“The cost savings have come from adjustments of allowances for certain components including lockups and cages and a review of the Market Square roof,” he said.
“Importantly, none of these changes will alter the appearance, purpose or operation of the market.
“All structures, materials and services are “right-sized” for the needs and requirements of the development.”
The win-win situation for council, stallholders and ratepayers follows the persistence of Keysborough South Ward councillor Peter Brown to delay the market works until 1 January to prevent 110 stallholders having to leave as early as this month, before the prosperous Christmas season.
Cr Brown had advocated on stallholders behalves at the previous two council meetings – albeit controversially – to push back works until Christmas had passed.
At the time, officers warned that the delay could increase the project’s cost. But this week they were spruiking the delay as a good-will gesture.
City improvement manager Bruce Rendall said the council acknowledged that Christmas was “a busy trading period for stall holders and as a result will not commence major construction until mid-January.”