WE FINALLY have the real answer to a question asked of the Bass Coast Shire Council on May 17 last year about when ‘the German windows’ for the Cowes Cultural Centre would be arriving.
Fact is they are arriving almost four months after Berninneit was officially opened, which we are now told is standard practice with windows in the construction sector, as the supply chain notoriously causes lengthy delays.
Here’s what Terry Parkin asked about the windows at Bass Coast Council question time on May 17, 2023:
Terry Parkin, Cowes Cultural and Community Centre Windows. “Would council please advise when will the very special air sealed windows and doors that are being made in Germany for the Cowes Cultural and Community Centre will be delivered to the site of the new build.”
Council response: “McCorkell Constructions are responsible for coordinating the supply, delivery and installation of every element of the build. They will continue to work with suppliers to ensure items are delivered in line with project timelines.”
The Sentinel-Times was asked to find out about the construction activity going on at the Cowes cultural centre on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
Deputy Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead has been able to confirm that “new doors from Germany are being fitted, the ones there were temporary until the Passivhaus windows arrived”.
Cr Halstead said she was unaware of the proposed works until the new doors started to be fitted this week.
The council’s Engage Bass Coast website doesn’t provide that sort of detail.
In the section about “Berninneit, Cowes. The story so far...” the shire notes that “Window frame installation complete” and “external glazing complete except for doors/entrances”. A cryptic reading of this information might lead you to conclude the “except for doors and entrances” part relates to the work that is now being done to install the Passivhaus windows.
Council had the perfect opportunity to update the community on the late arrival of the Passivhaus windows at last week’s council meeting when it received two questions about when the Passivhaus assessment would be available, as follows:
- John Kuzma, Topic: Passivhaus Certificate issued for Berninneit. “Would council please provide a copy of the Passivhaus Certificate issued for Berninneit in Cowes? Council response: t"Final Passivhaus certification is a detailed process and involves significant testing and assessment. Final test results are approved in Germany. It is anticipated that results will be available in May."
- Mario Boffa, Topic: Passivhaus Certificate issued for Berninneit. “Berninneit was opened on 28 October 2023 by the then Mayor Cr Michael Whelan who stated the building was a Passivhaus building. Would council provide each singular Passivhaus test result figures that determined the issuing of the certificate?” Council response: “Final Passivhaus certification is a detailed process and involves significant testing and assessment. Final test results are approved in Germany. It is anticipated that results will be available in May.”
Clearly one of the reasons why the council hasn’t received its Passivhaus certificate or testing undertaken is because they were still waiting for the Passivhaus doors.
Why not provide that information to the community members who have demonstrated the interest and taken the time to ask the question?
It would be interesting to know what other 'defect' work or additionas still need to be carried out at Berninneit. Surely, for example, the landscaping can't possibly be finished out the front?
The Bass Coast Shire Council has been asked for comment.
