Carnes Hill aquatic centre cost rises $4.47m as funding strategy endorsed

Liverpool City Council’s Governance Committee noted a revised budget for the Carnes Hill Aquatic and Recreation Centre and endorsed a proposed funding strategy in a confidential item.

Council: Liverpool City Council

Meeting: 15 September 2026

Recorded status: approved


BRIEF

Liverpool City Council’s Governance Committee noted a $4.47 million increase in the Carnes Hill Aquatic and Recreation Centre project cost and endorsed a proposed funding strategy. The detailed report was confidential on commercial-advantage grounds, and the public minutes do not disclose the revised total budget, funding sources, expenditure to date or a new completion date.


KEY FACTS

- The revised project budget included an associated $4.47 million increase in project cost.

- The Governance Committee recorded that it endorsed the proposed funding strategy outlined in the confidential report.

- The motion was moved by Councillor Macnaught, seconded by Councillor Ammoun and declared carried.

- The item was confidential because council said disclosure could confer a commercial advantage in a business dealing.

- The minutes do not provide the revised total project budget, funding breakdown, amount spent or a new completion date.


ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD

- The public record confirms the committee's endorsement of the proposed funding strategy but does not disclose its contents.

- The public minutes record a cost increase, not an amount spent, and do not state a revised total budget or new completion date.


QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING

- What is the revised total project budget after the $4.47 million increase?

- What funding sources and conditions are included in the endorsed strategy?

- Has the cost increase changed the project's delivery timetable?


SOURCE PASSAGES

The committee adopted a recommendation to note the revised project budget and associated $4.47 million increase in project cost, and endorse the proposed funding strategy outlined in the report.
"RECOMMENDATION That the Governance Committee: 1. Receives this report; 2. Notes the revised project budget and associated increase in project cost of $4.47m; and 3. Endorses the proposed funding strategy outlined in the report. COUNCIL DECISION Motion Moved: Clr Macnaught Seconded: Clr Ammoun That the recommendation be adopted. On being put to the meeting the motion was declared CARRIED. 5 Minutes of the Governance Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 and confirmed on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 ..........................................." (CONF 01 — recommendation and decision)

The motion to adopt the recommendation was moved by Councillor Macnaught, seconded by Councillor Ammoun and declared carried.
"COUNCIL DECISION Motion Moved: Clr Macnaught Seconded: Clr Ammoun That the recommendation be adopted. On being put to the meeting the motion was declared CARRIED. 5 Minutes of the Governance Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 and confirmed on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 ..........................................." (CONF 01 — decision)

The Carnes Hill Aquatic and Recreation Centre project update was confidential under section 10(A)(2)(c) of the Local Government Act because disclosure would confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council was conducting or proposed to conduct business.
"Chairperson CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS ITEM NO: CONF 01 FILE NO: 201218.2026 SUBJECT: Carnes Hill Aquatic and Recreation Centre - Project Update Basis of Confidentiality: Item Error! No document variable supplied. is confidential pursuant to the provisions of s10(A)(2)(c) of the Local Government Act because it contains information that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the Council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business." (CONF 01 — item heading and confidentiality basis)

The minutes state they were confirmed on 13 October 2026.
"1 Minutes of the Governance Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 and confirmed on Tuesday, 13 October 2026 ........................................... Chairperson MINUTES OF THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 15 SEPTEMBER 2026 PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Harle (Acting Chair) Councillor Ammoun Councillor Harte (Online) Councillor Macnaught Mr Jason Breton, Chief Executive Officer Mr Farooq Portelli, Director Corporate Services Ms Tina Bono, Director Community & Lifestyle Ms Lina Kakish, Director Planning & Design Mr Peter Scicluna, Director Operations Mr Vishwa Nadan, Chief Financial Officer Ms Justine Young, Acting Manager Civic" (Minutes heading)


SOURCES

https://liverpool.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/09/GOV_20260915_MIN_778.PDF

https://minutesradar.com/news/liverpool-infocouncil-governance-committee-meetings-15-sep-2026-15-sep-2026-minutes-carnes-hill-aquatic-centre-cost-rises-4-47m-as-funding-718e75125b/


Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.