Depot move costs more

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 307, 3 October 1989, Page 3

Depot move costs more

The cost of relocating the Raetihi council works depot has gone 40 per cent over budget. The Waimarino District Council heard last week that relocating the depot and building an amenities block cost $58,000 with $28,000 of that spent on the reloeation work, up from $20,000. May or Garrick Workman said he would be concerned at the cost over-run if rates had been affected but accepted the situation because the job is to be paid for from the sale of land fund. Cr Doug Bennett said the officer concerned should have brought the matter to the attention of the council when the costs increased but District Engineer Don Sat-

tler said it would have been impractical to halt the work part way through the job of relocating the depot building. He said a decision had to be made straight away. "It's like tar sealing a road, sometimes it goes over (budget)," said Mr Sattler. "Do you expect the tar sprayer to stop when the money runs out and wait for approval for more?" He said it wasn't until the building was dismantled that the defects causing the cost overrun became apparent. "I would expect you would rely on your officer's judgement," said Mr Sattler. Cr Tom Punch said the building was well worth shifting and Cr Snow Brannigan said he could see no problem in the matter.