Shire of Harvey set to make decision on Brunswick tennis courts’ future as council admits ‘gaps’ in oversight

The Shire of Harvey is set to make a decision on the future of the Brunswick Tennis Club’s court redevelopment on Tuesday, with the council now admitting ‘gaps’ in its oversight of the project.

Work on the project started in December but was stopped by the shire shortly afterwards after it was realised council approvals were not in place.

With the cost of the project significantly increasing in the time since, council is now considering taking the project over from the Brunswick Tennis Club and potentially reducing the number of courts redeveloped.

In the report to council ahead of this week’s meeting, shire officers revealed the club was told they would not be required to make a development application to council for the project.

“However, there were other requirements such as the local government providing an appropriate permit and conditions, including meeting work health and safety regulations, indemnity conditions, and engineering specifications for the project,” the report said.

“Gaps were identified in the Shire’s processes, that have now been rectified.

“This includes a greater level of oversight by the local government over community run projects on local government land and ensuring that appropriate permits are provided to community groups undertaking activities which require a permit under the Shire of Harvey Property, or other Local Laws.”

After the Brunswick Tennis Club’s contractor for the project started ripping up the asphalt surface in December, council staff realised approvals were not in place and ordered work stop.

A detailed site investigation was ordered by the council, with took place in February.

Councillors are being asked to allow the Shire to take control of the project, which has now blown out in cost from the original $221,000 budget.

Three options will be considered at Tuesday’s meeting, with elected members recommended to only construct three courts instead of the current four at a price of about $360,000.

Reconstructing all four courts at once will see the project blow out to a more than $460,000 price tag, while doing only two courts will cost about $250,000.

The council report notes the club has experienced a “significant” decline in membership as a result of the project delays, despite it being offered use of the Brunswick Recreation Club for free to allow operations to continue.