8 September 2003

Harry Seidler: “The rolling waveform of the building, which rises from the Darling Harbour towards Harris Street and the Ultimo ridge, has been created to reflect and reinforce the topography of the Pyrmont Ultimo peninsula. The waveform also has obvious aquatic symbology.”

ULTIMO AQUATIC CENTRE (UAC) – APPROVAL TO LODGE THE DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION AT SYDNEY HARBOUR FORESHORE AUTHORITY (SHFA) FOR THE REVISED UAC SCHEME

BACKGROUND

Subsequent to a report dated 21 December 2001 by the former Lord Mayor Frank Sartor on the ‘UAC and Public Space Design Competition’ advising of the jury deliberation and conclusion, Council had resolved that the project proceed to Design Development and the proposed land transfer from SHFA to the City be expedited.

On 30 April 2002 the City resolved that it would not invite tenders for the selection of an architect for the UAC project and that authority be delegated to the General Manager to finalise in consultation with the Lord Mayor, the terms of contract engaging Harry Seidler & Associated (HAS) as the project Architect, with authority to council’s attorney to execute all contracts.

Council on 16 December 2002 endorsed the shortlist of building contractors and approved that the shortlisted building contractors be invited to tender. At an Extraordinary Meeting of Council on 10 March 2003, it was resolved that the UAC land be classified as operational land.

The consultant team advised Council that due to current market price pressures, the budget needed to be reviewed in consideration of the then present scheme. With this advice and management recommendation, Council resolved on 31 March 2003 that in respect of Capital Works Reallocation, a revised budget of $27 million was approved for the UAC.

In April 2003 the City’s updated programme was to call for tenders from select building contractors in early July 2003 and to execute contracts with the successful tenderer for the UAC at the end of September 2003.

City Development & Projects in June 2003 initiated its appraisal of the overall project brief, to review needs and space requirements, including simplifying the overall scheme to a 50m pool, program/hydrotherapy pool with children leisure access, change rooms and amenities with approximately 63 carparking bays. This review arose out of:

1. the consultant team’s identification of broader industry and market risks to tender prices likely to be submitted and at the same time the construction estimate was approaching the original total development budget of $25 million;
2. consideration that some sporting facilities now provided at the Ultimo Community Centre (UCC) situated across Harris Street from the UAC appeared under utilised. The gymnasium function proposed for UAC could be rationalized with the UCC facilities, with UCC facilities enhanced to meet future demand of this facility.

The City is committed to provide a quality swimming pool facility similar in finishes and components to the earlier pool. Moreover, better rationalized in its planning and functionality, efficient in that the management of the program/hydrotherapy pool could also meet the needs of children swimming classes, and would meet the aims of the master plan for the area.

This revised scheme was presented by HAS and assessed by City officers and directors of Asset Management & Compliance and City Development and Projects on 25 July 2003. Subsequent to his the City instructed HAS to develop this scheme for the purposes of a DA submission preceding the calling of tenders.

PROPOSAL

That Council approve the lodgement of the DA to SHFA for the revised UAC scheme.

OPTIONS

That Council accept the above recommendations and approve the lodgement of the DA to SHFA for the revised UAC scheme. This is the preferred option.

That Council reject the above recommendations and not lodge the DA for the revised scheme hence tender on the existing scheme. This is not preferred as it may be an over capitalization of the City’s facility and not be cost effective.

CRITICAL DATES

The critical date of 9 September 2003 is when City Development & Projects intends to submit a DA to SHFA.

The requirements of the Tripartite Deed with Australand and SHFA provide these two other parties with rights to exercise Lot 23 and Lot 3 options respectively, should the City not achieve substantial commencement of the Aquatic Centre Development Works by 30 June 2005 and 30 December 2006, respectively.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The revised scheme has been discussed with and designs provided to the signatories of the Tripartite Deed between SHFA, Australand and the City.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS/FUNDING CERTIFICATES

The financial implications are:

1. that the revised UAC scheme would be expected to be less than the original budget;
2. through the Capital Works Review Committee the budget has been reduced to $24 million from the $27 million approved at Council resolution of 31 March 2003 on Capital Works Reallocation. The $3 million difference has been allocated to the Capital Works contingency fund.

CONSULTATION

City Development & Projects Unit has consulted with Asset Management & Compliance (AM&C). As a result of consultation AM&C is in agreement that the revised scheme be progressed initially with the DA then with the calling of tenders.

RELEVANT LEGISLATION

The Local Government Act, 1993.

CONCLUSION

City Development & Projects in June 2003 initiated its appraisal of the overall project brief, to review needs and space requirements, including simplifying the overall scheme to a 50m pool, program/hydrotherapy pool with children leisure access, change rooms and amenities with approximately 63 carparking bays. This review arose out of:

1. the consultant team’s identification of broader industry and market risks to tender prices likely to be submitted and at the same time the construction estimate was approaching the original total development budget of $25 million;
2. consideration that some sporting facilities now provided at the Ultimo Community Centre (UCC) situated across Harris Street from the UAC appeared under utilised. The gymnasium function proposed for UAC could be rationalized with the UCC facilities, with UCC facilities enhanced to meet future demand of this facility.

The City is committed to provide a quality swimming pool facility similar in finishes and components to the earlier pool. Moreover, better rationalized in its planning and functionality, efficient in that the management of the program/hydrotherapy pool could also meet the needs of children swimming classes, and would meet the aims of the master plan for the area.

City Development & Projects and Asset Management & Compliance staff have reviewed the scheme and are in agreement that this revised scheme is improved as a result of the strategic review of the UAC against the UCC. Both City Development & Projects and Asset Management and Compliance are in agreement that this revised scheme should be progressed initially with a DA followed by tender.

RECOMMENDATION

That arising from consideration of a report by the Senior Project Manager to Council on 8 September 2003, on the UAC – Approval to lodge the DA at SHFA for the revised UAC scheme, it be resolved:

1. Council approve the lodgement of the DA at SHFA for the revised UAC scheme; and
2. Council’s attorney be authorised to execute all necessary documentation.

(SGD) CUMARAN SIVA (9338)
Senior Project Manager

Bob Walker

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© 2003 Gerald Ganglbauer, created 9 September 2003