The outlay on new public works in the coming year at Beachport has been trimmed by Wattle Range Council to just over $1m.
Around 20 budgeted works costing almost $1.4m were due to be enacted at the seaside by the council in the coming 12 months.
Council had outlined its spending priorities in its draft 2023/24 budget.
The largest single item of expenditure was to be $350,000 to renew the sea wall in front of the 140-year-old former harbourmaster’s house.
However, this project will not proceed as a $280,000 grant from the Coastal Protection Board will not be forthcoming.
Meanwhile, council approved the 19 other Beachport projects after the 2023/24 budget was endorsed at a special meeting on July 13.
During the brief debate on the draft budget, Penola-based Councillor Emma Castine asked if the budget could be presented with the expenditure-per-ward stated.
Cr Castine said this breakdown in expenditure had been useful when presented by council staff to a recent meeting of the Penola Residents and Ratepayers Association.
However, council chief executive Ben Gower recommended that this not be done on a geographical basis in the annual budget documents.
Mr Gower said there could be a risk of decisions being made on a parochial basis and not in accordance with the asset management plan. He was supported by Mayor Des Noll.
“We have to look at the bigger picture here: it is not just about your ward,” Mayor Noll said.
More than $1.2m has been spent by council on upgrading public works at Beachport in recent years including Wendy’s Walk, Susan Wilson Memorial Playground, boat ramp, bowling club and caravan park.
The lowest Beachport-related upcoming budget line is $3000 for the 2024 Beachport Crayfish Festival.
Further expenditure has been forecast for the caravan park (stage one of electrical renewal works costing $48,000) and boat ramp (dredging and toilets lighting costing $106,000).
Council will support another community event with a $5000 grant to the Beachport District Development Association to stage the New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Roof and wall replacement at the Beachport Recreation Centre is set to cost $60,000 while sealing of its car park has been allocated $165,000.
The Beachport Medical Centre roof and awning repairs have been costed at $14,000 while the adjacent visitor information centre needs $20,000 in general maintenance.
Wall repairs and re-painting at the former Beachport Institute requires an allocation of $9000.
There are seven bitumen roads in the Beachport township which are due for re-seal at a cost of $69,000.
The renewal of the stormwater pump and weir at Centennial Park has a budget line of $165,000.
Sprinkler replacement at the Beachport wastewater treatment facility will cost $20,000 while the Beachport CWMS pump station renewal works are estimated to be $45,000.
The construction and installation of footpath lighting on Millicent Road requires $45,000.
It will cost $145,000 to prepare a detailed design for the realignment of Bowman Scenic Drive around the Pool of Siloam.
Kerbs need to be renewed in Lanky Street and Railway Terrace at a total cost of $78,000.
The purchase of wheelchair hoists and signage for the Rivoli Bay beach buggy will require $8000.
Funds were set aside in the 2022/23 financial year to upgrade the works depot at Beachport but this project has not been completed.
The 2022/23 budget also set aside funds to upgrade the South Terrace drainage, Beachport National Trust Museum fire systems upgrade and the purchase of new pontoons for the Beachport boat ramp.
The June council meeting received a staff report stating these four Beachport projects would not be completed in the 2022/23 financial year.
