Former mayor Carmelo Pesce has taken a swipe at his successor Steve Simpson while welcoming approval of the Sutherland Entertainment Centre upgrade.

Work is due to start in November after the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment gave the go-ahead for the $34 million State Significant Development project.

Cr Pesce said it was a project he had pursued within his ward since 2013, and approval paved the way to create local jobs and stimulate the local economy following six months of COVID-19.

The result would be “a state of the art facility”, catering for school events, dance groups, theatre and many other activities.

“It is a shame the current independent mayor Steve Simpson and Labor deputy mayor Michael Forshaw do not agree with the current refurbishment proposal, but would rather waste another $30 or $40 Million dollars of ratepayers’ money on a full demolition and rebuild of the facility,” Cr Pesce said.

Cr Simpson said in response he initially favoured replacing the building, but when the majority of councillors supported a major refurbishment, he supported the decision.

“It would be an absolute shame if councillors didn’t put up different points of view for discussion,” he said.

Cr Forshaw denied Cr Pesce’s claim.

“Both Steve and myself voted in favour of the council decision to proceed with the major refurbishment,” he said.

“It was Cr Pesce’s Liberal colleague, Cr Johns, who tried to scuttle the decision at the eleventh hour.

“It seems Cr Pesce hasn’t got over the fact that he was defeated in the recent mayoral election. It’s called ‘Democracy’ Carmelo. Accept It!”

Cr Forshaw said approval of the development application was “great news for the shire”.

“Council has considered various proposals, over many years, from upgrading the existing building to replacing it with a new civic centre,” he said.

“We finally have a decision and we can now look forward to a modern venue utilised by shire residents and community groups for many decades to come.

“The project will also create many jobs during construction which will help the local economy in these difficult times.

The eleventh hour bid to dump the major refurbishment option occurred at the September 2019 council meeting when Cr Kent Johns moved for the council to seek a public private partnership (PPP) to build a new centre over the adjoining council-owned public car park.

Cr Johns warned the council was “making a huge mistake”, but he was supported only by Labor councillor Barry Collier, who had argued consistently for a knockdown-rebuild.

Other councillors, including mayor Pesce, said the council would look “like idiots” or “stupid” if it aborted the well advanced refurbishment project, which the community supported.

The council voted to proceed with the major refurbishment and add optional features, taking the cost from $29.6 million to $34.1 million.

Announcing the state government’s approval of the project, Heathcote MP Lee Evans said the revamped centre would be able to stage major theatrical productions.

“This development will provide a world-class cultural and community asset for shire residents, workers and visitors to enjoy,” he said.

“Tiered seating in the auditorium will give the audience of 700 people much better sight lines to the stage, while larger sets can be built to retract into a new 21.9 metre fly tower above the stage.”

Miranda MP Eleni Petinos said the design of the building was supported by the NSW Government Architect and would improve movement and connectivity in and out of the building.

“This fantastic development will breathe new life, music and theatre into Sutherland and become the heart and soul of the community,” she said.

“The larger foyer and three new lifts will make it easier to move around the building, while Peace Park will be improved with new mature trees, grass, widened paths and two water features.”

The Department of Planning received only eight submissions, including seven from government agencies making comments and one public submission supporting the application.