Some Possible Solutions 1. Capital Works

[JimMacKellar]

Some Possible Solutions
1. Capital Works

Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution, the old saying goes. As one of those who has been critical of facets of the FCRC’s performance since amalgamation I feel it is incumbent upon me to offer some possible solutions to problems I have previously commented on within our Council.

Capital Works. This is a vital area of deficiency in our Council’s performance. Every year that we do not complete our capital works program is one more year we are behind in delivering vital community infrastructure. And once a Council falls behind in this delivery it has proven extremely difficult, if not nigh on impossible, to ever catch up with the needs of an ever growing population.

From examining the reports of Council the two major areas where difficulty is being experience would seem to be 1. Roads and drainage; and 2. Parks and Gardens. As the potential solutions to these are very different I will cover them separately.

Roads and Drainage. A vital part of community infrastructure. The problem most cited by Council is obtaining tenders from applicants interested in completing the work. But this was not a problem in the case of the over $7million of work on Main Street, Hervey Bay. And herein lies a solution to the problem of the smaller projects.

In road construction size does matter. A considerable part of the cost of any project is involved in preparing to start the work. Moving people and equipment into the area, setting up equipment and stores compounds, gravel plants etc. etc. The smaller the project the greater proportion of the cost is involved in this preparation and, of course, cleaning up at the end.

If we say that we have about $15million in road projects in Hervey Bay, ranging in cost from $50,000 to $1million and one large project like Main Street. At present we will easily get tenders for the larger project and a decided lack of interest in the others. But what if we put all the projects into the one, lets call it the ‘Hervey Bay Road Improvement Program 09/10’. then call for tenders with expected costs of approx $15million. Is it now worth while for potential contractors to consider the costs of establishing in the Bay region for the year knowing they have at least $15million worth of work to complete?

And the same process will work just as well for Maryborough. It would be possible to combine the work into the Hervey Bay tender or it is substantial enough to stand on its own. The work in the rural areas can be adequately covered by the Council’s workforce, as it was before amalgamation. In fact, the Tiaro Shire work force did twice as much ($4m) roads capital works in the year prior than the entire rural roads capital program of the FCRC ($2m).

Parks and Gardens. Facilities for people to relax and enjoy. And the more people the more facilities that are needed. And the people just keep coming.

Within the FCRC staff there are a number of people who have many years experience at constructing parks and gardens facilities. But not enough to do all the work themselves. In our community there are many people who wish to work but don’t have qualifications to find a job. In the federal government are people who are willing to pay money to employers who are willing to take on unemployed people in traineeships.
In these situations lies an opportunity. The experienced personnel at Council can train some of our long term unemployed while the federal government foots a considerable part of the wages bill. Thus we will not only get the work done but we will get even more for our dollar while helping some of the unemployed persons that our economic development efforts have been unable to provide with jobs.

Some of the other areas of Council activity I will have to cover in further writings. So I offer the above in the hope that they may encourage debate and stimulate others to devise alternatives to our present path. If any of our elected Councillors feel that they would like to adopt some (or all) of these suggestions then they are most welcome. The benefit of our region is paramount in my offering of them.

Jim MacKelllar

[Pink]

Keep up the good work Jim, I enjoy reading what you have to say.