A $7 million package of improvements to the Tynes Bay incinerator in the next financial year is just a fraction of the cost of the wish list for the ageing waste disposal centre, a minister said yesterday.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the public works minister, said the allocation would cover maintenance for the incinerator’s boilers as well as upgrades to the trash drop-off area.

But, he added: “The cost, if we had our way, would be $150 million to completely refurbish both streams at Tynes Bay.”

The incinerator was hit with mechanical problems last year, which forced it to shut down temporarily.

Waste was baled and kept at the Marsh Folly landfill.

The Tynes Bay allocation came from a capital budget of $39.63 million for the ministry, which leaves nothing for work on small projects such as bus shelters and street lights.

Colonel Burch admitted that “some of the roadworks could be a little smoother” as the three-year island-wide road dig and trenching in partnership with Belco moves into its final year.

He added: “We will investigate to see what can be done in the interim.”

The resurfacing of roads affected by the digs is to start with Harrington Sound Road.

Colonel Burch told MPs during the House of Assembly debate on the ministry budget that some road surfaces were “atrocious”.

The ministry’s total $69.26 million budget is up $2.25 million for 2022-23.

Colonel Burch said the extra cash would mainly cover the hiring of extra staff, including five apprentices at the Department of Public Lands and Buildings.

Vacancies to be filled in the year ahead will include “a number of solo sweepers who will assist the ministry with keeping the roadsides clean”.

Colonel Burch added that solar panels on the General Post Office in Hamilton would be installed “shortly”.

He said the ministry was looking at financing and procurement options for rooftop solar panels on “approximately 30 Government buildings”.

The ministry continues to hold responsibility for the corporations of Hamilton and St George, where municipal elections were put on hold for another year this month.

Colonel Burch, who as minister signs off on the resolutions passed by both corporations, said Public Works played a greater role in the East End with some funding for repairs to Ordinance Island, where the wharf is being upgraded to accommodate superyachts.

He admitted that the poor condition of the former showpiece Botanical Gardens in Paget had caused public concern.

But, Colonel Burch said, the ministry budget included $400,000 for improvements to the 36-acre site.