OPINION
Here we have a council that knows that it is ill equipped to operate a facility like a swimming pool and is transparent about its tendering process.
Curiously, or not so, depending upon your predisposition, the decision to award a contract to an interstate company is causing political ructions. Most interesting is Minister Archer's position here.
On other contentious local government issues this Minister has been disinclined to get involved in "local government issues" but that disinclination seems to have melted away in this case. Good to see!
Local is OK when about 'owning and facilitating' an operation it has no real capacity to operate 'effectively'. Tendering out the operation makes immense sense and if there is a local 'service provider' with the skills and capacity, then ,granting a tender to them that too makes sense.
What does not make sense is local government operation getting outside their skills base and administrative capacity to essentially build an empire that justifies higher and higher salaries for 'the top brass'.
Anyway it is good to see a Minister getting involved and basically doing her job in this instance ... advancing the discussion!
......
Glenorchy City Council decision to award pool contract to interstate firm draws criticism from members of parliament
The Glenorchy City Council is on the verge of awarding a new contract for the operation of the municipality’s major pool, but the move has drawn backlash. Find out why >>
Cameron Whiteley, Mercury
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A LOOMING decision by Glenorchy City Council to award an operating contract for the municipality’s major pool to an interstate company has drawn criticism from two members of state Parliament who say the council should reconsider.
The council confirmed it was in contract negotiations with Victorian-based Belgravia Leisure to take over the management of the Glenorchy Aquatic Centre on Anfield St, Glenorchy.
Following a tender process, Belgravia Leisure has been earmarked as the preferred candidate for the contract instead of the YMCA, who has run the pool for the past 10 years and wanted to continue.
Glenorchy Mayor Kristie Johnston said council conducted an open public tender process after the most recent five-year contract expired at the end of the 2019-20 summer swimming season.
“Belgravia was chosen for a variety of reasons, including their capacity and expertise and overall ability to offer the best service to the Glenorchy community,’’ she said.
“YMCA has been informed that Belgravia is the preferred candidate and is working actively and cooperatively with us to ensure there is a smooth transition if and when the new contract is finalised.”
Liberal Clark MP Elise Archer urged the council to reconsider its position, saying the decision would likely have a significant impact on YMCA’s future operations and have social and economic consequences in the community.
“A decision by the GCC to install an interstate operator for the Glenorchy pool and to remove management from a local community organisation (the YMCA) would be deeply concerning to ratepayers, especially during the state’s recovery from the economic challenges of COVID-19,’’ Ms Archer said.
Independent Clark MP Madeleine Ogilvie said the pool was a much-loved institution with friendly local staff, instructors and lifeguards.
“It is disappointing to hear of a contract going to an interstate provider, when we know local jobs at the pool are involved,’’ she said.
“We are all acutely aware of the need to protect and increase jobs in Glenorchy, particularly during this difficult time.”
Ms Ogilvie said she had written to Local Government Minister Mark Shelton to request an enhanced approach to buying local be applied to local government.
Glenorchy Ratepayers Association president Phil Butler said he would have preferred a local company be awarded the contract but said he had no concerns about the process taken.
“I think the YMCA were running it quite adequately, but it’s an old pool and the equipment is tired,’’ he said.
YMCA Hobart chief executive Melissa Carlton said she could not comment on contract negotiations, but added:
“We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved at the Glenorchy pool for the past 10 years.
“The relationships we’ve built and to see the difference that it’s made to the community, along with all the other work we do in the Glenorchy community.”
Ald Johnston said pricing details were commercial in confidence but that was just one of a number of many factors involved in the “extensive evaluation process”.
“Council is still in negotiations with Belgravia, so no date has been finalised. However any change in management will be complete before the start of the summer swimming season,’’ she said.
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