Council rejects parts of Kilgariff

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ABOVE: The turn-off from the Stuart Highway to Kilgariff. BELOW RIGHT: The open drain pictured from the edge of the highway.

 
By ERWIN CHLANDA
 
The Alice Springs Town Council should attach conditions to the takeover from the NT Government’s Land Development Corporation (LDC) of significant parts of the Kilgariff suburb, Stage One.
 
The council’s Technical Services Director Scott Allen is recommending that the ownership of the “Main Open Unlined Drain which traverses the Stuart Highway and Colonel Rose Drive” should not be accepted. The government agrees.
 
Due to the flat nature of the site, the storm water infrastructure inside the sub-division contains no pits and pipes. To fix this would cost $650,000, says Mr Allen.
 
He recommends this internal drainage network should remain under the care and control of the NT Government until the estate can be assessed following a one in five year rain event. The government has accepted this.
 
Mr Allen’s report to Monday’s committee said the Government should pay $430,000 for the “approximately 1967 lineal metres of sealed carriageway” which are not expected to last the 25 years as contracted. Again, the government has accepted this.
 
It also accepts responsibility for fixing “pooling of water on the corner of Stuart Highway and Norris Bell Avenue” and “flooding of Colonel Rose Drive”.
 
The next full council meeting is likely to make a decision on Mr Allen’s recommendations.
 
The LDC is currently beginning to build Kilgariff Stage Two.
 
We have asked the LDC’s CEO Tony Stubbin to comment.
 
 
 
UPDATE May 17, 7pm
 
A spokeswoman for the Land Development Corporation (LDC) provided the following comment:
 

“The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL) is dealing with Alice Springs Town Council (ASTC) on the matters raised. 

 

“DIPL control the existing roads and drainage infrastructure within Stage 1.

 

“The main open unlined drain was constructed by DIPL and is outside the development area of Stage 2 of Kilgariff. 

 

“Land Development Corporation is progressing the planning and design for Stage 2 and will consult with DIPL and ASTC in this process.

 

“LDC recommends you approach DIPL for comment on the matters posted 13 May 2020.”

 
We have requested comment from DIPL on May 14 and will report it if and when we receive it.
 
 
 

3 COMMENTS

  1. “The council’s Technical Services Director Scott Allen is recommending that the ownership of the “Main Open Unlined Drain which traverses the Stuart Highway and Colonel Rose Drive” should not be accepted. The government agrees.”
    So who’s actually responsible for this obvious design and/or implementation/construction failure? And who’s going to be held accountable and pay for the long-term, ongoing rectification costs?
    “Mr Allen’s report to Monday’s committee said the Government should pay $430,000 for the “approximately 1967 lineal metres of sealed carriageway” which are not expected to last the 25 years as contracted. Again, the government has accepted this.”
    Who has done this cost estimate? As it seems extremely under-costed given the $330k per “lineal meter” rate?
    Given we are talking heavy machinery here which has horrendous hourly rate charges. How many square meters does this “lineal” meterage add up to?
    And what is the actual anticipated design lifetime expectancy of the work? For a major civil road project 25 years seems a little short sighted.
    How often will it need rectification / remediation works to address similar, future stormwater damage? Two, three, four times within the next 25 years? I guess no one really knows.
    But if its four times that’s $2.6m of wasted mooney.
    Who’s paying for these into the future costs?
    NT taxpayers and Alice Springs ratepayers!?
    It’s about time the Alice Springs Town Council and NT Government employed people who are qualified and experienced to do the tasks required of them!
    Rather than those who can’t and keep pointing the fingers elsewhere once it’s too late and even more taxpayer/ratepayer costs to address!
    Once again, “Monty Python” and/or “Utopia” analogies come to the forefront of my mind?

  2. See my earlier comment. What they have done is redirect the Todd River in flood back to itself, swamping the cemetery en route.
    But in reality a 100 year flood (If it ever happened) through Kilgariff is going to provide a slow, gradual, welcome drink for trees and gardens of the blocks.

  3. Kilgariff was alway going to be a problematic white elephant.
    Everyone know about “location location location “ so why is it where it is?
    Even if there were nice, even fences, the whole place looks like an eyesore.
    Then there’s the internals and factions between the LDC, DIPL, council and of course the developer?
    So it was a political bandaid that somewhat backfired.
    The only saving grace for the bunny purchaser is eventually they will have a reasonable asset due the the shortage of land that created this fiasco in the first place.

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