THE City of Greater Bendigo is seeking to review the Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre's energy efficiency, after spending $245,000 more on utilities than expected in its first year of operation.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
City corporate performance director, Andrew Cooney said the additional utility costs were "not insignificant".
An additional $50,000 has been requested for a "comprehensive audit and energy efficiency review" at the $32.4 million centre, which opened in October 2018.
More than 410,000 visitors flowed through the Gurri Wanyarra Wellbeing Centre in its first year.
Mr Cooney attributed the cost blowout to energy being most costly than expected, and the centre consuming more of it than anticipated.
The audit and review were intended to find ways to make the centre cheaper to run.
Mr Cooney said the additional expenses would also be built into the budget in future.
A report to councillors, included in this month's council meeting agenda, said the first full year of operation had provided "a clearer picture of the utility costs associated with Gurri Wanyarra."
Four other mid-year budget items were proposed.
Works on the Kangaroo Flat Library relocation were brought forward, resulting in a proposal for a $586,818 addition to the budget.
The works were previously intended to be staged over numerous years, the council agenda said.
More than $102,000 has also been sought to support Bendigo's recognition as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
Mr Cooney said the city had not received confirmation its bid would be successful when the budget was drafted.
Exactly $200,000 has been requested for the purchase of properties in Maiden Gully and Huntly, which the city considers to have strategic significance.
More:
A further $233,000 has been requested for works on the municipal baths and Rosalind Park.
Mr Cooney said the project had been brought forward, in part because of the council's desire to see it progressed this term.
Accelerating the project also meant the city could apply for funding as part of the Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme.
The six mid-year budget items amount to a $1,417,240 adjustment to the budget, if approved by council.
The city expects to record a $700,000 surplus at the end of the financial year.
It recorded a $2.6 million budget deficit at the end of the second quarter.
Factors included the timing of invoicing for grants related to sealed road projects and the valuation of council assets.
The issues were "not likely to result in a permanent variance", the city said.
Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
