South Gippsland Shire office cost rise explained

SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council CEO Kerryn Ellis responded to the Sentinel-Times request for details of more than $100,000 increase in the cost of council’s Leongatha main office refurbishment works, explaining that significant structural issues were identified and needed to be addressed.

“During the refurbishment works, some of the existing concrete beams and slabs in the building were found to be defective; this included exposed steel reinforcement, which should have been concrete encased, and components that did not meet current structural design standards,” Ms Ellis said.

 “It appears that the defects have existed since the original construction of the beams in the 1980s and could not be observed during routine maintenance as they were obscured by the suspended ceiling and other services.”

 The CEO said that while there was no immediate risk to occupants of the building, the consulting structural engineer for the refurbishment designed remedial works to achieve the required modern standards in order to ensure the long-term structural stability of the building and satisfy the responsible building surveyor. 

“The works included treatment of the defective components, and the installation of new steel beams, columns, footings and associated works,” Ms Ellis said.

The $117,700 (excluding GST) contract variation exceeded the contingency allowance and was approved by the CEO in consultation with mayor Nathan Hersey.