Amy Hume
MITCHELL Shire Council is taking legal action against a contractor for incomplete works in High Street in Seymour.
Nick Neda Site Cleaning, of Epping, was contracted for the $1.2 million roadworks in May of last year.
The works were originally expected to be complete by the end of June last year but the finish date has stretched out more than a year.
The project was set to relieve concerns associated with traffic and heavy vehicle use through a corridor shared by pedestrians and cyclists, but it has created other problems instead.
Residents and commuters have experienced difficulty navigating around the works, which run from Wallis Street to the railway line.
The works include underground drainage, pavement and road shoulder reconstruction, sealing, intersection works, and provision for on-street parking.
Council said it has continued to receive assurances and revised schedules from the contractor with little or no provision of work over the past six months.
Council said Nick Neda Site Cleaning managing director Nick Nedanovski has “provided a diversity of excuses” as to why the works have not been completed.
Mitchell Mayor Graeme Coppel said the community and council has been patient in waiting for the works to be complete and it was reasonable to seek legal action.
“While there have been adverse weather conditions it has taken way too long,” he said.
“The community and the council are furious and upset that such a project, that is not large and goes past a significant school, is taking so long. It’s quite unreasonable.
“We’ve given them every opportunity to complete the works and now we have no other option but to act.”
Council has a list of excuses that that document revised schedules and reasons
provided by the contractor for not complying with their own deadlines dating back to January.
Mr Nedanovski’s excuses include inclement weather, a fractured ankle, illnesses, crews being required for other projects, clarification required on certain areas and inability to source a contractor.
Mitchell Shire Council Chief Executive David Keenan indicated that he has given Mr Nedanovski numerous opportunities to explain the delays, however he had not responded to phone calls or emails.
Mr Keenan indicated that the contract would be referred to Mitchell Shire Council’s lawyers.
He said High Street residents, commuters and the community have shown patience during the delays.
The North Central Review attempted to contact Mr Nedanovski about the High Street works but he was unable to provide comment before the Review went to press.
