February 23rd, 2020New price tag for Rex
THE Rex’s budget has blown out to $12.735 million – with an opening date of April 2021.
Hepburn Shire CEO Evan King told The Local that the building in Vincent Street, Daylesford, had been bought in 2016 for $6.345 million with $3.390 million spent so far on renovations – and another $3 million needed to complete the eventual Hepburn Hub.
Mr King said the council’s intention was to borrow the extra $3 million – potentially paying it back with the sale of the current library, council offices at Duke Street and the information centre.
The project stalled in June 2018 after it was realised the renovation cost would be more than $1 million, creating a need for a planning permit.
The new project scope and its budget was adopted at the Hepburn Shire Council meeting on Tuesday, February 18 at 6pm.
Just for fun, The Local decided to see what else the council could have done for The Rex price tag…
Moon real estate
Join the 250 plus celebrities and buy a hunk of land on the moon. In fact, at $376 per 20-acre lot, according to www.lunarland.com, you could buy 664,893 acres. Plenty of room for a future hub.
Bump off your enemies
Data from the Australian Institute of Criminology shows that a hitman can be hired from as little as $4500. However, a quality hitman could be as much as $45,000. Meet halfway, at $20,000, and you could get rid of 625 people you’re not too keen on. (Please note, The Local does not endorse anyone having their enemies killed.)
Super sports car
Lamborghini’s Veneno Roadster retails at about $8.5 million so you could either buy one and a half, which would be odd, or just one with insurance and a decent, fortified garage.
Fly high
For $57,000 you and a plus-one could fly from Melbourne to London return 219 times in the “Residence” onboard Etihad’s A380. A luxury three-room apartment in the sky with an ensuite shower room, private bedroom and separate living area.
Win the Melbourne Cup
Winx’s foals are looking to sell for about $2 million each, and Winx has made about $24 million in prize money. So buy six foals (save the other $735,000 for feed and training) and if only three become Melbourne Cup winners they could pool $72 million in winnings. Enough for five and a half Rex buildings.
A yacht
The 41-metre Royal Huisman ocean racing yacht, below, is available for delivery for $12.8 million. Like The Rex, she is not new, but only built in 1997 with all renovations already completed! She accommodates eight guests and six crew in her lavishly decked-out cabins. And a fully functioning cinema…
The Local
Have your own news outlet – so only good publicity – for the modest amount of just $10 million with plenty left over for print and paper. You would also receive a very nice card from the owners of The Local Publishing Group thanking you – from Hawaii.
