A RIVERLAND council has delayed kerbing works scheduled for this financial year, after a local contractor unexpectedly pulled out of the project.
Berri Barmera Council initially awarded the tender for its annual kerbing works to Altitude Earthworks in late 2020, but the Monash-based business handed the contract in earlier this year.
Council CEO Karyn Burton said the decision would cause some delays in the district’s kerbing renewal.
“We’re having trouble getting contractors for those kerbing works, so we will get some done this year, but we will possibly have to carry over some of that work again,” she said.
“It’s the difficulty of getting contractors who are available, and then the contractors who do quote for it have loaded their prices so it would blow our budgets.”
In a report to council, infrastructure project and technical officer Kim Seekamp said contractors who initially tendered for the works were approached by council, with one offering rates 90 per cent higher than originally quoted.
“This increase in rate is higher than our total budgeted linear metre rate – which also includes, rubble, backfilling and sealing works – and would mean that the budgeted amount would overrun by of over $40,000,” she said.
“Due to this massive increase in cost, the contractor has been advised that it is not financially viable for council to engage them to undertake the works.
“Given current staff workloads, timeframes to undertake another tender process and the minimal timeframes remaining for completion of works, these works are unable to be completed within this financial year and will be required to be carried over.”
Council is currently undertaking sealing works around the district, including roads in Berri, Loveday and Monash.
“Residents would see that a number of streets have been resealed, and there is just line-marking that will occur over the next couple of weeks,” Ms Burton said.
Council has also completed sealing works on Jury Road in Berri as part of a $1.6 million upgrade part-funded by the Federal Government.
Line-marking on Jury Road is expected to occur on May 10.