Work stops on Austinmer pool upgrade

Austinmer rock pools. Photo: http://www.cs.uow.edu.au

THE upgrade of Austinmer rock pools will not be completed before Christmas as planned after the contractor, Specialised Marine Services, went in to liquidation.

Wollongong City Council’s Director Infrastructure and Works Mike Hyde Works said the liquidation of the contractor was a surprise and work is underway to ensure that the pools are made safe and that another contractor will complete the upgrade.

“As we have said we are unable to provide a time frame for these works,” Mr Hyde said.

“Council has today inspected the pool so that it complies with all Work Cover and safety requirements. We will be placing signs and flexible barriers around the pool to prevent people from using the pool while it is still a work site.

“We ask that all people not use the pool while it is undergoing refurbishment as it is a dangerous place with exposed bars and formwork in place. Again we ask all people to make use of the beautiful rock pools at Coledale, Coalcliff, Wombarra, Thirroul or Bulli.

“Prior to the voluntary liquidation of the contractor, works on the pool were about 70 per cent complete and there has not been any waste of Council money on this site.

“The pools are at a vital stage of reconstruction, especially the works on the cavity between the two rock pools.

“The original contractor was a specialist marine business which had experience and satisfactory previous performance in undertaking concrete repairs / works to rock pools within a tidal and wave zone.

“Council will begin negotiations immediately with alternative contractors who can complete these essential works. We will inform the community as soon as we are able to provide information on a completion date for these works.”

For more information you can contact Council Customer Service on (02) 4227 7111.