Council has denied claims it is making a mockery of public consultation by calling for tenders to build the $23 million leisure centre before the public finishes commenting on plans.
Eyebrows were raised after an advertisement calling for "expressions of interest" appeared in the Southern Highland News on Wednesday, even though submissions have not closed on the initial concept plan.
Councillor Larry Whipper quickly described the advertisement as "an insult" and said it "reeks of arrogance".
"What’s next - the sale of our public land before submissions end in the belief that we know what the community will say?" he asked.
However, council’s acting general manager Michael Brearley said council was not in fact calling for tenders; instead council was merely inviting builders to register interest.
"The selection of a builder is a two-stage process... the first stage is to invite expressions of interest from builders who may wish to be considered when tenders are invited," he said.
Full story SHN Monday, January 21
Email a friend