Rather, the scope of the project changed after the council decided ongoing operating costs would be reduced if it built the facilities itself.
A hearing for the council’s planned redevelopment of Green Island — converting the landfill to a resource recovery park precinct (RRPP) — is scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
Evidence provided for the hearing by council chief executive Sandy Graham said costs for four new facilities at the redeveloped site, once estimated to cost $18.2m, were now expected to reach $42.2m.
An organics facility once tipped to cost $7.1m was now expected to cost $10.8m.
The $2.3m budgeted for the construction and demolition facility had increased to $3.6m.
The $6.3m for the material recovery facility had increased to $20.4m.
And $2.5m for the bulk waste transfer station had increased to $7.4m.
‘‘Finally, there is currently planned a budget of $13.867m for the remainder of the RRPP for all the ancillary parts of the precinct to tie it together such as staff facilities, roading upgrades, power and IT facilities.
‘‘This all shows how the RRPP is a major project for DCC to bring about a modern recycling facility, and also a very large capital commitment for the city.’’
Yesterday, the council rejected the notion there had been a budget blowout and said the increased capital costs were aimed at lowering ongoing operating costs.
‘‘It’s not a budget blowout and we’d be concerned if it was presented as such,’’ a spokesman said.
The 2021 figures were estimates based on original concept designs, prepared four years ago, which anticipated a cost-sharing agreement with a new kerbside collection contractor to build the facility.
Following a procurement process in 2021-22, it was decided ongoing operating costs associated with the project would be reduced if the council built and owned the new facility itself, the spokesman said.
The new figures presented by Ms Graham reflected this change in scope, as well as the rising cost of construction generally over the last four years, he said.
‘‘We’ve been working closely with our kerbside collection contractor on the final design and specifications for the buildings and processing equipment required, which has now allowed us to refine the budget forecasting for this project.’’
The council’s application to extend the life of the Green Island landfill until the end of the decade and then close it is a separate application due to be notified today.
