A court battle has blown the cost of a local pool upgrade out by more $1 million, with Brisbane City Council having to help pay the bill.
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A 20-year lease was signed by the lessee of the Sandgate Aquatic Centre in February 2012 with part of the agreement being a jointly-funded $4 million upgrade to the pool.
The council approved the development application on 30 September 2014, but the upgrade was put on hold as it was challenged in the Planning and Environment Court and the Supreme Court.
The lessee, Australian Crawl Pty Ltd, withdrew the approved application and submitted a revised application for approval which was approved on January 2, 2018, and construction started on June 28.
The five-year delay in the start of construction has resulted in a cost increase of $1 million for the work to be completed.
The lessee agreed to commit a further $500,000 towards to upgrade if the council matched the contribution.
Further amendments to the lease were also requested and approved.
Under the changes the lease would be extended to expire on 2039, instead of 2033 and the lessee would cover the cost of chemicals needed for the pool.
Further, the percentage of gross revenue paid to the council was reduced from 10 per cent to 7.5 per cent and the annual rebate on the rent increased.
The recommendation put to the council said the amended lease proposal would deliver an increased net value to the council of $237,666 over the term of the 20-year lease.
The pool opened as a public swimming pool in 1973 and has had no major refurbishment since its core construction.
Labor opposition leader Peter Cumming said it was good the upgrade was finally going ahead.
“It’s a great shame its taken so long to get this contract done because of legal action,” he said.
Councillor Jared Cassidy (Labor - Deagon) said there had been a lot of progress at the site so far.
“The frame is up around the pool, the children's’ play area is complete, the amenities are getting there now,” he said.
“People are finally getting excited, a lot of people were starting to think it would never happen so it’s good that it has, but its certainly taken a toll on the budget.”
Lifestyle and Community Services chairman Peter Matic (LNP) said the Sandgate pool was an important local community asset.
