A Wyndham councillor has criticised the installation of a giant seven-metre-wide television screen on the front of the Encore Events Centre.
Cr Intaj Khan said the screen – which measures seven metres by four metres and is valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars – had never been used and not even turned on since the revamped centre opened in June.
“I haven’t seen it working, and I have a concern about when it’s going to work,” he said. “The screen is quite large and I’m pretty convinced that it could distract drivers [on Derrimut Road].
“I’m very happy that we’ve got such a big screen, but the angle it has been placed at could cause an accident on Derrimut Road because you could watch it while you’re driving.
“The screen is really good; I’m really impressed with the screen, but I’m concerned about why it’s not working,” Cr Khan said.
“I don’t care if the council has paid two million dollars for it, I just want to see it work.”
The screen was installed as part of the $54.4 million redevelopment of Wyndham’s leisure and events centre, which has been divided into two separate venues, Encore and AquaPulse.
Cr Khan believes the screen could have cost the council up to $1.1 million, but Wyndham council chief Kelly Grigsby says the screen, with installation and programming costs, adds up to $200,000.
“The screen is part of the piazza area in the Encore Events Centre, which is designed as a place people can gather to watch major occasions and sporting events in a fun atmosphere,” Ms Grigsby said.
“The current permit allows the screen to be used as a static display to promote Encore and the neighbouring AquaPulse facility.
“Wyndham council is currently considering implementing physical changes on the site, which will satisfy exemption triggers under the relevant planning scheme.
“[This] will allow the screen to be used to show major occasions and sporting events,” Ms Grigsby said.
