GAWLER Council is hoping to redirect $2.4 million in funds previously allocated to the Gawler East Link Road development back into the community.
At last Tuesday’s general council meeting, elected members unanimously carried a motion to approach minister for transport and infrastructure Stephan Knoll to seek waiving the 50 per cent contribution to the project due to the financial impact of COVID-19.
Councillor Nathan Shanks said he put forward the motion to help the town.
“I believe it’s in our community’s best interest to not give $2.4 million dollars of ratepayers’ money to the government right now,” he said.
“Our community is going through challenging times, and if kept local, Gawler benefits.
“Personally, if successful, I would love to see it helping our non-for-profits, like sporting clubs, through the fallout of COVID-19.
“Utilising this reallocation effectively would result in helping our community/community groups bounce back easier than they would have without it.”
Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said the $2.4 million contribution is a component of the 2017 Gawler East Link Road Deed executed between the council and the State Government.
“The $2.4 million amount specifically represents council’s contribution towards the upgrade of Potts Road, being work that was earmarked to be undertaken by council irrespective of whether the Gawler East Link Road was constructed or not,” she said.
“Should the minister agree to waiving the $2.4 million… payment, the immediate financial consequence would be that council would save expenditure of $2.4 million which would then be used, in accordance with council’s resolution from the May 26, 2020 meeting, towards:
(a) Investing in local capital initiatives that will bring forward projects that would not have otherwise occurred in the coming years, resulting in immediate and diverse positive consequences in respect to local jobs and investment outcomes.
(b) Assisting the community where practically possible to aid the local economy in a speedy recovery from the down turn caused by COVID-19.”
During discussion, councillor David Hughes suggested the payment could be used to investigate other Gawler works.
“I think it is very important to have these discussions with the minister, so he understands the Gawler community needs some assistance, but also so he can look at other projects that the money could go to like a Tiver Road link through from Potts Road or other projects that can assist us as a town,” he said.
Cr Shanks said the community would require time and money to bounce back from the pandemic.
“We have a long road ahead and every little bit counts,” he said.
“In the same theme, I’m donating 30 per cent of my elected member allowance for the next six months to contribute to the council’s COVID-19 relief fund.”