The future of the Mittagong Playhouse could remain in a state of limbo for a while longer.
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The playhouse, located at the western end of the Mittagong Memorial Hall was shut down as a matter of urgency due to structural concerns in October 2019.
The decision was prompted by an independent structural engineer who recommended the building be shut down immediately due to concern that the structural integrity of the roof and walls had been compromised.
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There were reports that the ceiling had bowed. There was also a question of stability regarding the wall closest to the car park.
Eight months later and the playhouse end of the building continues to be propped up and fenced off from the community while Wingecarribee Shire Council strives to fund repairs.
The project has been identified in the 2020/21 draft operational budget, which suggested the Mittagong Memorial Hall rectification work was estimated at $2.5 million (inclusive of design and preliminaries).
However, it is recommended that council continue to undertake further investigation and design works in 2020/21 using an allocation of $500,000 and for the rectification works to be undertaken in the 2021/22 financial year.
A high level estimate of $2 million has been included in the 2021/22 draft budget with the works proposed to be funded through additional loan borrowings.
The delay to work has frustrated Councillor Garry Turland who said that it had already been eight months since the facility was closed to the public.
He identified the Playhouse repairs and another project, the construction of a new Wingecarribee Animal Shelter, as high priorities.
Establishment of an animal shelter reserve with an opening balance of $5.2 million (subject to the satisfactory settlement of the land sales in Frankland Street) is identified in the 2020/21 draft budget.
Cr Turland suggested at the May 27 Ordinary General Meeting of Council that inquiries be made into borrowing funds for both the playhouse and animal shelter projects.
He said that he believed the projects should be "an active part of the 2020/21 budget".
"Why can't the process of renovations begin while it is absolutely empty [due to Covid restrictions]," he said.
Cr Turland said that council should take advantage of additional borrowing opportunities permissible through TCorp under the State Government plan to stimulate the economy.
TCorp offers an investment management service and general financial advisory assistance to NSW councils. It also offers loan facilities.
Cr Turland said that with the exceptionally low interest rate it was more viable to take up the additional borrowing opportunity currently permissible.
"The State Government has set aside $288 million for councils across NSW to make loan applications for projects across the state," he said.
"We have an opportunity to borrow very cheaply to move projects such as these forward.
"At this stage we should be borrowing to boost projects and the economy."
Cr Turland said venues such as the playhouse and animal shelter were most important through tough times.
He said such facilities were valuable resources for community groups, which was in turn good for mental health.
"This is what we need for our shire," he said.
"We should be writing to the State Government requesting funds for the playhouse and the animal shelter.
"We need to get people back doing what they have normally done, such as performing, for the sake of mental health."
Councillor Graham McLaughlin said that while he believed Cr Turland's idea had merit he understood the State Government borrowing plan was subject to a very short term.
Council's deputy general manager Barry Paull said borrowing was one thing, but council still had to pay back the funds.
"This could lead to a drop in works projects in future years," he said.
"Borrowing is permissible for shovel ready projects, interest is charged and projects have a restricted time frame."
Council adopted a recommendation to prepare a report, plans and budget estimate for the Playhouse Mittagong project and a new animal shelter for the shire should funds be made available from the Federal and State Government as per the Mayoral Minute May 13, 2020.
That Mayoral Minute included a recommendation that council call on the Federal Government and NSW Government to urgently deliver comprehensive and multifaceted financial support and stimulus packages to local government to enable them to continue to operate effectively and provide essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This included providing stimulus funding to councils for projects that will help sustain council operations and boost local economies. This could be achieved through increasing or bringing forward funding under existing funding programs or introducing new programs.