By Cam Lucadou-Wells
RATEPAYERS face a hefty bill to fix a toilet bungle at the new $65 million civic centre.
Just seven months after the keys to the council’s new Lonsdale Street headquarters were handed over, ratepayers face being stung for potentially costly renovations to toilets on the executive floor.
One councillor is so appalled with the situation he has advocated that work on the floor “start from scratch”.
The Journal believes councillors are looking at ways to remodel the toilets, shower and kitchenette after complaints.
The toilets are visible down a corridor from an officer’s desk and are located next to a kitchen.
Private access to the toilets from CEO John Bennie’s office is also under consideration.
No one at the council would provide the Journal with an estimated cost of the work, however councillor John Brown said any plumbing or remodelling work would have to be funded in the mid-year budget review.
“It would be simpler and cheaper to tear down all the plasterboard walls and reconfigure the entire (wing). Start from scratch,” Cr Brown said.
He defended the cost to ratepayers saying “there wouldn’t be a ratepayer anywhere that would appreciate having to walk through a toilet to get to a kitchen” and that it was inappropriate that Mr Bennie as the “head of one of the largest municipalities” didn’t have a private toilet and shower.
“His office is not large enough to fulfill the requirements of the CEO.”
The design flaw was first flagged by councillor Maria Sampey, who is currently on stress leave, before the building was completed.
“Why would you want to hear people in the toilet while you’re in the kitchen?” she told the Journal last week.
She hit out at the potential cost as a slap in the face for ratepayers.
“Ratepayers are trying to get over the money for the new bins and no rate relief, and we’re spending money on this at the same time.
“The plans were wrong from the start. We should leave it as it is and live with it.”
Mayor Jim Memeti said it was too early to put a figure on the cost.
“I’m asking for comments from all councillors on this. No decision has been made yet.”
Acting chief executive officer Mark Doubleday did not comment on potential costs either.
“As with any new building it is appropriate after a period of occupation to take into account any feedback from people using the space and to consider what adjustments, if any, could be made to improve or enhance the original design.”
Cr John Kelly chastised Cr Sampey for “going to the press on something minor”.
“She hasn’t been at council for a year. She can’t work with people in a reasonable fashion.
“All she does is stir the pot from a distance while taking $24,000 a year.”
What do you think. Should the council spend ratepayers’ funding and fix the toilet problem or live with it. Let us know at journal@starnewsgroup.com.au
