The Gold Coast City Council Governance and Finance Committee has  recommended that Council approve a scaled back ICT program, following a blowout in its cost from an initial $40 million to over $100 million.

 

The ICT program rollout included three staged releases, however the Committee recommended the completion of only the first two.

 

Mayor Tom Tate said the Committee’s recommendation was not only about scaling back the cost of the program, but also recognised the uncertainties around changes to State legislation and the impacts of bringing back Gold Coast Water.

 

“The reality is with a significant portion of the total program budget already spent, we are past the point of no return and the revised program will result in many millions in avoided ICT costs down the track,” Cr Tate said.

 

“Councillors have expressed their concern regarding the overall cost of the program and the recommendation recognises the need to review all our expenditure while also acknowledging the urgent requirement to upgrade Council’s large number of outdated and non-integrated systems.

 

“To use a simple analogy from the building industry, what I want to see with this program is the delivery of a liveable house without the gold-plated fittings. To this end, today’s recommendation points us in that direction.”

 

Subject to adoption by full Council, a report will be brought back to Council in March 2013 on an updated service plan and ICT portfolio incorporating the requirements of Gold Coast Water.