A specialist oncology treatment centre, indoor gymnastics centre and affordable housing, are some of the facilities that could be built in Warringah using Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Five ideas for PPPs, out of 22 submissions received from businesses, are being progressed and will be given to the Office of Local Government for review.
Mayor of Warringah, Michael Regan, said PPPs could help Warringah avoid the infrastructure backlog being faced by the majority of NSW Councils.
The total infrastructure backlog for NSW Councils was estimated to be $4.5 billion in June 2012
“Many Councils are forced to go into debt to build infrastructure or just watch as it falls into disrepair.
“We want to remain financially viable into the long term and continue to improve our assets for the community, so PPPs are worth exploring.
“I believe we can be a leader in the area of Public-Private Partnerships. It is a long and difficult process, with many layers of approval and red tape to navigate, so it’s something not many Councils are able to pursue.
“I’m pleased Warringah has the resources and know-how to follow this option.”
If positive advice is received by the Office of Local Government, Council will call for an Expressions of Interest for the proposed projects.
In 2013, Warringah was found to be one of only three council areas in Metropolitan NSW that is in a ‘very strong’ position in maintaining and renewing critical community infrastructure.
The NSW State Government’s Division of Local Government published the findings in Local Government Infrastructure.
It also found that a large number of Councils across NSW face real and significant challenges in terms infrastructure and that many of the councils with substantial infrastructure backlogs are also struggling financially.
