BELEAGUERED by ongoing delays, the Cox Street Redevelopment Project is continuing to cause local businesses and road users’ frustration, especially after the main contractor MACA Civil ceased work recently before completion.

The $3.2 million contract was awarded to MACA Civil in July 2021 as the primary contractor responsible for improvements to the road, kerb, footpath, lighting, and underground drainage.

However, more than two years on since the project started, Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) was besieged this week by rumours of legal action between the parties.

Technical glitches and design revisions have plagued the project throughout; however, an anonymous source contacted The Spectator this week to report that a dispute had arisen between Council and MACA Civil, an international mining, infrastructure and construction contracting group.

SGSC chief executive, Tony Doyle, was quick to quell the rumours and said there was currently no court action taking place between Council, Wannon Water and MACA Civil. 

“Council has formally written to contractor MACA Civil this week requesting a return to site to resume works,” he said.

“Council have not engaged another contractor to complete works at this stage.

“It remains Council’s preference that MACA Civil complete the works in accordance with the contract in order to avoid any further unnecessary disruption to the community.” 

The outbound lane between Gray Street and French Street has been closed since April, leading to road users expressing their frustration especially as very little progress has been seen.

In June, there were revisions to the drainage design along Cox Street with Wannon Water on site to cut another water main valve which resulted in further traffic disruption, while MACA Civil undertook regular inspections.

The same month, traffic came to a standstill at the eastern end of Gray Street when motorists were not forewarned that there would be a detour through The Argyle carpark to Cox Street when the Cox Street/Gray Street roundabout was partially closed for Wannon Water to undertake works.

When asked if MACA Civil had effectively “walked off the job over a dispute” Mr Doyle did not provide comment except to say that there were obstacles beyond the control of Council that had impacted the project’s schedule.

“Council understands and shares in the frustration the community has felt throughout the Cox Street redevelopment project,” he said.

“We wish to assure the community that we are consistently working behind the scenes to get the project back on track.

“Council can confirm that the southbound lane of Cox Street between Gray St and Ballarat Road has been closed since April 26, at which time we advised the community that the road would remain closed until the project was complete,” he said.

“We appreciate the disruption that this closure is causing and as soon as it is possible for us to reopen this lane, we will do so.”

Mr Doyle said Council hoped to have a response from MACA Civil next week and that Council would keep the community informed.

Wannon Water was asked to provide comment but declined.