Repairs expose problems at centre
CYCLONE Debbie repair work is continuing in the Whitsundays.
The Whitsunday Regional Council has commissioned a full site investigation condition report of the Proserpine Entertainment Centre after further noncompliance issues were discovered during recent repair work.
Mayor Andrew Willcox said he was frustrated by seemingly endless compliance and safety issues being discovered during the centre’s reconstruction.
“The PEC suffered extensive damage during Cyclone Debbie but, due to lengthy insurance delays and previous design flaws, the lengthy time frame for reopening the facility has been outside council’s control,” he said.
“I fully appreciate the extended closure of this facility has adversely impacted the arts and cultural landscape of Proserpine and its community.”
Cr Willcox said during reconstruction works a series of major issues initially came to light regarding airconditioning and fire safety.
“These issues were historical design flaws and non- compliant renovations and repair work from the 1990s discovered during the ongoing repair works by the insurance panel builder,” he said.
“Basically, these new issues were constantly being found as a result of panels or walls being removed during the cyclone repair works.
“The final straw was the discovery of missing roof beams, at which point council ordered a full observation report, which identified further potential safety and compliance issues.
“As a result, council have now drawn a line in the sand and commissioned a full site investigation condition report by external consultants Ranbury.”