City in deep water over Prince Alfred Park Pool

New details have emerged about disputes between the City of Sydney Council and the contractors working on the Prince Alfred Park Pool project.

As revealed exclusively by City News last week, the pool’s redevelopment has been held up by disagreements between the City of Sydney and the contractor, Walton Construction.

The contractor has been claiming monies over and above the agreed “progress payments” for unexpected costs such as soil contamination and waste removal, prompting legal disputes between the parties. The claims have been verified by documentation, while information was provided by four well-placed sources within Town Hall on condition of anonymity.

The pool, once slated to open in 2010, is now scheduled to open this winter.

Documentation leaked to City News since last week’s report showed that in one dispute late last year, Walton Construction demanded the City pay the company an extra $1,815,874 for unforeseen “waste removal”.

The City refused, instead offering $447,230.

City News understands the matter was adjudicated on December 19, but the City is refusing to divulge the amount it was ordered to pay.

A general statement was issued on Monday claiming construction had never ceased at Prince Alfred Park Pool since the project began. This is despite the City previously acknowledging extensive cessation of work, blaming inclement weather.

“The front page City News article about Prince Alfred Park Pool on 3 April contained numerous errors,” said the statement.

“The City has never been involved in court proceedings with Walton Constructions for this project.”

Last week’s report made no mention of court proceedings.

The City of Sydney statement continued: “Work has never stopped on the Prince Alfred Park Pool site and continues today to ensure that it opens in mid-2013.

“The City News journalist did not seek a response from the City about these claims.”

City News did, in fact, seek a response from Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore as to why the project has been delayed yet again, quoting the Lord Mayor’s explanation of finishing touches and cleaning.

It is believed the latest delay involves a new dispute between the City and Walton Construction, which the Lord Mayor cannot discuss due to confidentiality provisions in the contract with Walton.

Meanwhile, a City of Sydney councillor has posted last week’s City News report to his Twitter feed, suggesting the National Broadband Network (NBN) could be finished before the pool.

“Revealed: the truth about Prince Alfred Park Pool – you’ll get the NBN before you get a swim,” wrote Liberal Councillor Edward Mandla.

Walton Construction declined to comment.