A council project manager ultimately signed off works at completion of the $1.4 million Neerim South oval upgrade, Baw Baw Shire Council has heard.
Speaking at Wednesday's council meeting, Baw Baw Shire interim chief executive officer Cohen Van der Velde said council officers supervised construction works at the Neerim South Recreation Reserve.
Mr Van der Velde was responding to questions on notice from former councillor Darren Wallace.
The Gazette revealed in December that the Neerim South oval required a full redesign and rebuild less than four years after undergoing a surface upgrade.
At the time, council community infrastructure director Ben Wood said minor repairs or upgrades would not rectify issues with the oval's current drainage system.
Mr Van der Velde told the meeting the oval refurbishment cost was $700,000. The overall project - which also included retaining wall works, other ancillary works, design and project management was $1,425,628.
He said council contributed $1,105,628 towards the project, with the remaining $320,000 cost met by external funding.
Mr Wallace asked if there was "specified subsoil and laser levelled to be completed to optimise ongoing drainage" in the detailed tender and did council officers supervise construction. The answers to both questions was, "yes".
"Who is ultimately responsible for signing off on a contract of this nature stating 'that the construction has been completed as per the specifications'"? Mr Wallace questioned.
Mr Van der Velde answered, "council's assigned project manager."
Asked what lessons had been learnt to ensure future projects - such as the Drouin Recreation Reserve oval upgrade - were constructed to specifications, Mr Van der Velde said a major projects team had been introduced in early 2021 to oversee major infrastructure projects.
"While not specifically related to the outcomes of the Neerim South Recreation Reserve project, the introduction of this team and its project management expertise ensures best outcomes are achieved with each project for the benefit of the community," he told the meeting. "The Drouin Recreation Reserve project is following a similar program to the recently reconstructed Bellbird Park Soccer Pitch project, which is performing as designed."
Mr Wood previously advised consultants were completing an oval reconstruction design to better understand costs and examine options for a perched water table system.
Any future oval works are unbudgeted and have not been discussed at open council.