The state government is being accused of negligence in the wake of a scathing report into the collapse of the Pelican Marina at Lake Macquraie.
The Auditor General has revealed the government had been at loggerheads with the lease holder of the marina for four years over who is responsible for the maintenance of the piers at the marina.
Prior to the marina partially collapsing in February this year the Department of Crown Lands had undertaken a structural assessment after taking control of the marina and terminating the lease in December 2015 due to several issues including unpaid rent. The assessment found the two-storey marina building was sound, however there were "problems with the boardwalks and jetties that required further examination".
The previous lessee, Elidock Pty Ltd claims to have spent $200,000 in repairs to the building and marina, and had withheld some rent on occasions to partially offset these costs.
The Auditor General's report states, "The Department is conducting an internal inquiry into the Pelican Marina collapse and we cannot make findings about the causes of the collapse. However, the series of events described above indicates that the Department was aware of serous issues with a lease on Crown land but was not able to resolve those effectively,"
Swansea Mp, Yasmin Catley says the government knew there was a potential problem but did nothing.
"If I was renting a property and I wasn't paying my bills or I wasn't maintaining that property, I'd be turfed out in a blink. The Baird government sat on their hands and did nothing about it and now as a result of that, our community has lost a wonderful amenity, one that we may never see again," she said.
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| Swansea Mp Yasmin Catley |
