THE Glasshouse has divided United Services Union members, a public inquiry heard yesterday.
United Services Union northern industrial officer Noel Martin was the first witness yesterday in the third week of public hearings at the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council inquiry.
The inquiry, which is scrutinising the council's handling of its multi-million dollar cultural centre, could result in the councillors being sacked and replaced by an administrator.
Mr Martin said the union wasn't going to get involved but it received numerous complaints about a range of issues and everything kept coming back to the Glass house.
"It has divided our membership, there is no two ways about it," Mr Martin said.
"Whatever the outcome of the public inquiry, we have got to be able to assist our membership to move forward."
Some members told the union the Glasshouse and link road had impacted on their overtime, start and finish allowances and morale, the inquiry heard.
Mr Martin said at a recent union meeting it was quite clear people were fearful.
Council's barrister Michael Dawson, in his questioning, pointed out that start and finish allowances had increased for the year to date compared to last year, as had overtime paid out.
Mr Martin said he would have to see a breakdown of the figures to comment further.
Council general manager Bernard Smith expressed concerns to the Port News yesterday over some of the union's comments and said he hoped to set the record straight when he gave evidence tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Roots Projects Aust ralia former project manager Anne Tregeagle outlined her association with the project before she left the company last year.
Mrs Tregeagle said project budgets were often on the agenda at meetings, while a value management workshop in December 2004 reviewed the project's scope, principally for costs.
Roots Project Australia associate director Chris Crick told the inquiry the company was advised by the council the assumption was there would be little or no archaeological remains, because of previous buildings on the site.
The convict-era archaeological remains later uncovered resulted in a partial building redesign and extra costs.
Mr Crick said the the latest figures showed the building was on budget, with a "healthy contingency" and savings made on timber flooring and glass.
"The project is in very strong shape, I would say," he said.
Meanwhile, Sydney's City Recital Hall Angel Place general manager Bronwyn Edinger, one of the arts industry experts to give evidence yesterday afternoon, said the Clarence St building was essentially a benchmark in how regional venues should be constructed.
Country Labor Port Macquarie Branch secretary Jeff Condron also gave evidence in the morning session. The hearing continues tomorrow.