Molong truck wash abandoned after Cabonne vote

At Tuesday's Cabonne Council meeting, councillors voted to terminate the deed for funding with the state and federal governments and return all funds already paid to the council.

The council initially signed an agreement to build a single bay covered truck wash and effluent disposal pit at the intersection of the Mitchell Highway and Market Street, including a treatment system and capability to widen the bay in the future for a double wash.

At the moment, the only truck wash in the region is at Carcoar, putting livestock transporters to greater expense.

The state and federal governments contributed $252,530 each in 2017, while the council contributed $256,410 for a total budget of $761,470.

The council originally engaged a consultant to design the project within the available budget, but the Livestock, Bulk and Rural Carriers Association asked to modify the design to suit A-Double and B-Triple livestock trucks, which meant adding a second bay, a larger pretreatment facility before being pumped to Molong Sewerage Treatment Plant and road upgrades.

However, the additions brought the total cost to an estimated $3,056,297, including 15 per cent for overheads and 15 per for contingencies.

The council also investigated the facility's annual income and expenditure, estimating it would incur an annual loss of $15,628.

It asked the state government for more funds to meet the $1.8 million shortfall, but the response indication there were no further funds available.

Councillors were given the option to proceed with project delivery and extend the funding contracts while more funds were sought or abandon the project.

"Considering the total project cost and the utilisation of the said truck wash facility, this project does not appear to be financially viable," the report said.

Refunding the state and federal governments means the council will wear the design costs of the project to date.

Cabonne mayor Kevin Beatty said the size of the blowout was "a little bit surprising" for councillors.

"But given the time lapse from the original pricing that was done in regard to the grant application - it was a few years ago and things gone up," he said.

Asked whether the council could have reverted back to the original proposal, before the changes, Cr Beatty said it was not an option.

"It was basically just an oversized car wash, it didn't comply - [the updated plan] was designed for biosecurity," he said.