By Corey Everitt
The scrapping of the Cardinia Youth Hub may be reversed with the council considering a recommendation to rebuild the problem-stricken project at its intended James Street location.
Recently, Cardinia Shire Council authorised five options to be considered as ways forward for the Youth Hub after its construction was cancelled due to critical structural faults being discovered that rendered the half-finished sight a potential demolition job.
To be moved in the next council meeting on Monday 19 August, the recommendation decided upon by council officers is to rebuild the Youth Hub at its intended site on 41 James Street.
The four other options considered were; expand/redevelop My Place, build or redevelop a facility at PB Ronald Reserve, build or redevelop a facility at The Point or explore opportunities within the vicinity of the Pakenham Major Activity Centre.
Currently at the site is a half-complete concrete frame which has remained untouched since the contracted builder, Allmore Constructions Pty Ltd went into liquidation late last year.
The existing construction was authorised for demolition in May this year after issues were found with the structural integrity of its foundation.
However, this report says ‘this provision has not been required to be used’ and though defects were ‘identified’, there are been no findings of ‘immediate safety concerns’.
A project to help expand youth services, that future was in doubt for any possible new facility. However, council officers have determined the option to continue the site is optimal considering factors of cost, time frames and service delivery.
Originally budgeted at $6.8 million, the council says a revised cost estimate revealed earlier this year stands at $10.9 million with the council burdened with $6.1 million.
A new budget estimate would be made in 2025 if the new direction is agreed upon.
The council faces a tight timeframe to retain the existing State and Federal funding for the project which makes up $3 million and $1.5 million, respectively, to the project’s budget.
“The key risk is that if the building is not completed by October 2027, further extension of time will be required for intergovernmental grants,” the report says.
Furthermore, the report noted a decision must be made before the end of the current council term in September. A delayed decision could risk the project not reaching the required timeframe.
As part of the original construction’s fallout, the council is investigating potential litigation against parties liable for the structure defects identified at the site with a maximum expanse set for a prosecution at $150,000.
