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Claim of council incompetence BY LINDA CLARKE
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An overspend on a planned new caravan waste dumping station bought allegations of incompetence in the Ashburton District Council chambers yesterday. Coronation Park owner Jamie Dalzell was angry over at the budget blowout and about the fact the station was needed at all, since he operated the same dumping service just 400 metres away. He said spending on the project had gone from $35,000 to $77,000 and the work had not been submitted for public tender, despite being over the $50,000 trigger level. “Our money is going down the drain every day of the week because of incompetence and fraud,” he told councillors before their full monthly meeting in the Baring Square East building yesterday.
Council plans to install a dump station on a site near the Walnut Avenue-East Street intersection, but the scope of work for the project was greater than expected and more funds were sought earlier this month. There are already caravan dumping stations at the Tinwald Domain and in Methven, and at Coronation Park. Mr Dalzell said he charged tourists for the service, because council charged him to dispose of it through a pan tax, sewerage and water rates. But the new station would be free and paid for by ratepayers. “You are spending our money for people who are only passing through this town.” He said the expensive dump station was another example of a poor decision made by council. “I have had enough. I am sick of you wasting our money.”
Mr Dalzell said council did not consult him, as the operator of an existing dumping station. Those using the service were usually tourists, wanting to dispose of rubbish and waste before returning their vehicle to Christchurch airport. “They pay $10 and they carry on.” Councillor Stuart Wilson said he viewed the free dump station in the same way as public toilets. “And I would rather they used it than dump it on the side of the road.” Mayor Angus McKay said the project was not put out to tender because it was under the threshold, but was brought back to the council table earlier this month, where councillor Russell Ellis also saw red at the budget blowout. Mr Dalzell said ratepayers has lost faith in their elected representatives.
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