Budget review brings forward projects

Significant savings will allow several projects at South West Sports Centre and Bunbury Wildlife Park to happen earlier than expected.

Bunbury City Council this week supported adjusting its 2018-19 Budget to allow for new priority projects at the sports centre and for planned work at the wildlife park to be re-prioritised.

A project to replace volunteer and staff facilities, an animal hospital, toilets, feed store and preparation area at the wildlife park came in over budget during the tender process, forcing council staff to investigate its financial options.

The council will use about $70,000 from another project at the wildlife park to make up the shortfall in the nearly $500,000 project.

While the council usually only makes budget amendments at periodical financial reviews, chief executive Mal Osborne last week told councillors the projects were considered important enough to start early.

Mayor Gary Brennan told the South Western Times that while his preference was to wait for budget reviews, it was normal to make adjustments.

“The officers explained that there was some urgency in getting those done and when you look at the cash movement, it’s principally from jobs already within those functional areas so it’s just moving cash around,” Mr Brennan said.

“That’s manageable — my preference is that any budget amendments, unless it’s urgent or time is of the issue, happen at the periodic reviews.

“However, there are times when our officers ask for things to be brought forward.

“The key thing about this is the cash adjustments are within those functional areas, so it doesn’t impact on the overall budget, it’s just a movement of cash.”

The council saved $69,356 on a new boundary fence at the wildlife park and more than $150,000 on projects at the sport centre’s pool.

Works at the centre will include further pool upgrades and basketball court LED light renewal.