Swimmers in Wollongong’s northern suburbs have only hope to convince them repair works to the Austinmer pool will be completed before December.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The pool, one of the region’s most popular, has been closed since June for major repair works to the sea wall and other works.
The original estimation of the task has proven incorrect, and it has since been discovered that more repairs were needed.
Wollongong City Council’s initial estimate that the work would take about 16 weeks expired almost a month ago, with significant work remaining to be done.
This week there were no promises coming from the council, which admitted the extra work will increase the cost beyond the original $500,000.
Asked for an updated estimate on when the work would be completed, the council would only say it is ‘‘working with’’ the firm Specialised Marine Services to finish the job by the end of next month.
‘‘Council is working with the contractor to complete the works prior to the beginning of summer,’’ council project delivery manager Glenn Whittaker said.
‘‘The additional work uncovered during construction will require additional variation payments under the terms of the contract.’’
The task included the refurbishment of the eastern sea wall, repairs to walls of both pools, repair of leaks, renewal of concrete pathways and replacement of handrails.
Earlier a council spokesperson explained to the Mercury that when the work commenced, it became evident the extra work would have to include replacing the pipes between pools, replacement of the western wall in the deeper southern pool, and additional concreting at the eastern end.
Residents have been concerned that many low tides have gone by without work being done.
The heavy seas and big swell that pounded the coast earlier this week have not helped, washing over the walls and almost submerging it entirely.
On Wednesday, as the waves crashed in, contractors were absent and it was left to a council lifeguard to rescue some pumping hose equipment as it was being washed out to sea.
‘‘The contractor is responsible for their equipment on site,’’ Mr Whittaker said.
‘‘A lifeguard did assist in recovering equipment on the site. This shows the effect of high seas, tides, storms on this type of job.’’
