At the council’s most recent meeting,general manager Ken Gouldthorp revealed the cost of preparing and submitting a development application for the project,which would be the largest ever infrastructure initiative undertaken by the council,had increased by $980,000 to $2.56 million.
This increase has heightened the concerns of those councillors not part of the majority bloc on council,who have argued they have been denied information about the development of the pool.
In mid-2018,a majority of the council voted to establish a “Project Steering Group” for the redevelopment of the pool. That steering group included two councillors – mayor Jilly Gibson and her daughter Alanya Drummond. It also included Bill Drakopoulos,the owner of Sydney Restaurants Group,which runs the food facilities at the pool.
Since then another councillor,MaryAnn Beregi,has repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempted to access documents prepared by and for this steering group.
Responding to one written request from Cr Beregi,Mr Gouldthorp last month copied in all other councillors to state that Cr Beregi’s request for information was “exceptionally broad” and went “well beyond” what would normally be made available to councillors.
Mr Gouldthorp told theHerald Cr Beregi had been given access to detailed reports at council meetings,and “has been provided with all opportunity to ask further questions or[request] further information through council meetings and has not done so".