A blunder by the City of Canning in grant application has caused a shortfall in funding for the expansion of the Rostrata Family and Neighbourhood Centre of just under $1 million.
There are also questions over the Department of Community’s commitment to hold the lease to the facility.
Late last year, the city was notified it was eligible for $1,766,074 in funding from the third phase of the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure [LRCI] program, and invited to nominate projects for funding.
The city chose to nominate the Rostrata Family and Neighbourhood Centre, and voted to use the full amount funding available on the Centre, sending the application on April 22, 2022.
On 28 April, the city received advice from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRDC) in response to the city’s project nomination documentation that the project did not meet the funding guidelines, which stated construction activity on eligible projects must be undertaken between January 1 2022 and June 30 2023.
According to Agenda Forum documents, $833,000 in funding is available to the city under LRCI phase 4, and while an application for that funding to be allocated to the Rostrata centre will be made, Mayor Patrick Hall confirmed that will leave a shortfall in funding for the project of $933,000.
City officers recommend diverting the $1.766 million in funding towards sports lighting upgrades at Burrendah Reserve, Hossack Park and Riverton Reserve,
However, it is unclear if the Department of Communities, who currently hold the lease on the Family and Neighbourhood Centre, are interested in staying on.
Mayor Patrick Hall said the city’s tenancy officers have been liaising with both Rostrata Family and Neighbourhood Centre Management and leasing representatives from Department of Communities in regards to the leasing implications of the expansion.
“Department of Communities have advised of their reluctance to take any responsibility for any future expansion and they are considering how this might impact current leasing arrangements,” he said.
“The city is awaiting confirmation of their future leasing preferences and continues discussions with the department in this regard.
“Tenancy officers have also provided information to Rostrata Family and Neighbourhood Centre Management regarding the potential costs associated with a lease with the city, in the event that the future lease is made directly with the Rostrata Family and Neighbourhood Centre.”
