Harris Street upgrade delayed

BY DHEEPTHI NAMASIVAYAM
The Harris Street upgrade should commence in October, once the newly elected council has awarded the contract.
As a result, the Harris Street works will not be completed this year, as originally projected by council. Only half of the public works can be finished this financial year, and $2.5 million has now been shifted into next year’s budget.
According to councillor Marcelle Hoff, only $1.5 million will be spent on Harris Street in the next 12 months.
A council report released in February outlined eight public domain projects. In March, Council named the Pyrmont Village project as a high priority, with the other projects still to be refined.
Cr Hoff said it was proposed to Council in March that work should not occur during the Christmas period. This means construction on the remaining Harris Street projects will begin in the New Year.
The rest of this year will be dedicated to approving design plans and finalising the tendering contract.
Cr Hoff said the delays would only affect part of the upgrade, with other projects already underway.
According to her, the Pyrmont Village project has ‘progressed quickly’ and the Council has also brought forward work near the Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre as part of this project.
Repairing the footpath at the corner of Fig Steet and Quarry Road, which has been uprooted by trees, will also be part of the upgrade.
Cr Hoff told The City News that this job will be completed ‘soon’.
The budgetary adjustment came one month after Council has released its current budget.
However, Cr Hoff said that if construction progresses quickly next year, the Council will bring forward funds to the current financial year.
Liberal mayoral candidate Shayne Mallard said the Harris Street upgrade is another example of Council taking on too many projects.
‘[Lord Mayor Moore] is like a drunk in a bottle shop ‘ she’s got lots of money and can’t spend it fast enough,’ Cr Mallard said.
‘I don’t think a single shovel was dug on Harris Street this year,’ he added. ‘I want to hold them accountable ‘ they make the promises, do the media releases and then quietly transfer projects to next year’s budget.’
In the meantime, local businesses continue to suffer as a result of the delays. ‘While it’s all dug up, businesses have a certain uncertainty [about what’s happening,]’ he said.
He added: ‘The sooner it’s done, the sooner businesses can get on with regenerating business.’