Interim Administrator pushes for dual facility designs

Published on 25 November 2021

Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Interim Administrator Viv May has used Council’s Quarterly Budget Review to call for design plans for the proposed Wingecarribee Animal Shelter and Moss Vale State Emergency Service (SES) building to be fast-tracked.

Mr May amended the September Quarterly Budget Review Recommendation to exclude the ‘revote’ or transfer of funding for the design of the co-located Animal Shelter and SES facility to the 2022/23 financial year.

“Both buildings are critical community assets,” he said. “However, in my opinion neither facilities are currently fit for purpose.”

Mr May noted that the principal design tender document for the proposed co-located facility had been issued on 23 November 2021.

“Delaying progress to provide a purpose-built modern animal shelter and SES facility in Moss Vale another year benefits no one,” he said.

The amendment to the Quarterly Budget Review will see $150,000 re-instated to the current financial year’s bottom line.

In passing the item Mr May suggested Council consider exploring the inclusion of a commercial component within the design of the Animal Shelter.

“This may involve the inclusion of an onsite resident veterinarian or other suggestion,” he said.

“It does not guarantee any future inclusions but instead, it allows Council to test the marketplace and consider possible unexplored options.

“Let me be very clear that the market testing will not involve the operation of the Animal Shelter.”

My May said ongoing community consultation with users and stakeholders of both facilities would continue as designs were progressed.

Construction on the Animal Shelter and SES facility is anticipated to start in the third quarter of 2022.