Last night Council accepted for a second time the State Governments offer to repair the Jetty and Revitalise the Busselton foreshore.
The Council, which only a month ago voted to repeal the original acceptance, voted 8 to 5 in favour of the motion. Cr Bromell who moved that Council endorse the officer recommendations in the funding comparison report brought on the vote.
"The report compares the upfront capital costs together with the ongoing maintenance costs and makes comment on the overall cost to the Shire over the coming 50 years." The comparison report also featured a detailed financial modelling of the five funding alternatives over a 50 year period. In general the report found that the "Jetty can only be sustainable and cover all future maintenance and capital costs with minimal support from the Shire by accepting the State governments offer towards the rebuild."
When looked at in terms of cash flow, financial impost on the Shire and risk point of view the report indicated that Option D was the most suitable of the five.
Option D includes Full restoration including – rebuilding sections 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10. Repair sections 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and Scout Road Boat Ramp. Total cost $24.6 million funded by $1.6 million BJECA, $11 million Shire, $6 million State Government and $6 million Federal Government.
When comparing Option D with Option A (BJAC Proposal) there is a saving to Shire ratepayer of around $280 million over 50 years. From the debate in the Council chambers it was obvious that the main concern of those Councillor who voted for the motion was the financial implications on the Shire and its ratepayers. Cr Binks and Hartley both changed there voted from last time to support for the motion.
During his speech Cr Binks looked physically shaken and appeared to be near to tears at several points. There was a feeling of surprise in the Chamber when Cr Binks came out in suport of the motion.
Immediately after Cr Binks speech Cr Stubbs attempted to move an amendment to the motion. The amendment called for the removal of clause 8 of the officer recommendations. Clause 8 states;
"That Council accept the State's conditional (14 point) offer with thanks and communicate this to the Minister for the South West together with its understanding that working within the framework of the State's position, the following values/matters underpin the Shire's acceptance: (the letter to emphasise the necessity for Council to have pursued the most up to date and independent cost modelling to satisfy its good governance requirements)"
The Shire President ruled this amendment, which would of made the original motion pointless, out of order. Cr Stubbs then called a censure motion, which was lost 8 to 5. The next Councillor to speak was Wes Hartley, he also spoke in favour of the motion.
The Council has now done a full circle following the originally acceptance by Council on 26 September and the repealing of that motion on October 31.