Cost-plus construction

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33068, 8 November 1972, Page 19

Cost-plus construction

Because of the unusual nature of the construction technique for the Commonwealth Games cycling track at Denton Park, contractors’ quotations for the work were $20,000 higher than his estimate, the County Engineer (Mr A. Dyhrberg) told a meeting of the Paparua County Council on Monday evening.

"I consider they have loaded their quotations very heavily through concern about the unusual nature of the work, and I would prefer to negotiate with them on a cost-plus basis,” said Mr Dyhrberg.

Two main problems were the high degree of accuracy needed for the track’s slope and curvature, and the placing of wedges of material at the quarter points of the circuit.

The council ruled that the quotations should remain “in committee,” but authorised Mr Dyhrberg to negotiate for a cost-plus basis for the construction of the first experimental section of the track. On completion, he was asked to report on the completion cost.

Re-elected.—Mr D. H. Warren was re-elected chairman, for a seventh year, and Cr H. W. Bennett was re-elected deputy chairman. The chairman’s honorarium was left on the maximum, $3150. Beacons.—Told that it cost

about $6OO to install flashing beacons at a pedestrian crossing, the council decided to ask the Ministry of Works to give its policy on the installation of lights at crossings. A decision to put beacons on the Main South Road—Parker Street-Seymour Street crossing was held over.

Beautifying.—The Hornby Rotary Club suggested that a plan for the beautification of Hornby be prepared, and it was agreed to ask the Lincoln College landscaping service for advice.

Declined.—Mr and Mrs N. Blakeway were refused permission to subdivide land at the corner of Yaldhurst Road and English Street and build a house on a 16.7 perch section—less than the minimum of 20 perches required.

Zoo scheme. — Approval was given to the proposal of the South Island Zoological Society to have a wildlife park on 40 acres at McLeans Island. The society told the council that it was applying to the Ministry’ of Agriculture and Fisheries for the registration of a zoological garden.

New reserve.—The council agreed to take the full 2 acres 16 perches of the Muir block at Haiswell for a reserve. The County Clerk (Mr A. Kelly) said that pensionerhousing subsidy could still be obtained if part of the reserve were taken for that purpose. Building.—Building permits for work worth $824,123 were issued last month, making the total since April 1 $4,138,502, compared with $2,565,029 for the five months last year.

Warning.—A final warning was given to the owner of a poultry farm at Templeton to abate the nuisance caused by the blowing of poultry litter on to neighbouring land.