THE Mount Gambier Community and Recreation Hub tender process is expected to finish by the end of March, securing the generational project’s head contractor.
City Council chief executive Andrew Meddle outlined stages of the process at a hub committee meeting on Tuesday, providing greater clarity for elected
members.
This followed last week’s special meeting on the issue, where Mount Gambier Mayor Lynette Martin disallowed an attempt by some elected members to release information, stating the request was a misinterpretation of procedure regulations.
In a report tabled this week, Mr Meddle said council was currently waiting for more information from the “potential head contractors” before a final evaluation by the Tender Evaluation Team (TET) would be made next week.
“Council’s procurement officer has gone back to each of the potential head contractors with the council’s requests for information relating to the innovation, alternative solutions and value management options put forward,” Mr Meddle said.
“The TET is due to meet again on March 17, to consider their responses.
“As a result of this, further shortlisting will occur and the element of clear competition will come out as we come down to the wire in terms of seeking a best and final price for lump sum contract.”
Following the competitive negotiations, a briefing will occur at the end of March before a report is tabled to council seeking a resolution to enter into a contract.
Mr Meddle also revealed on Tuesday the process had experienced “probity issues”, which at the time delayed the tender evaluation by a week while legal advice was sought.
The report built on some detail requested at last week’s special meeting regarding the $39.1m project, which was called by councillors Paul Jenner, Steve Perryman and Christian Greco.
“The report spells out to us that we as council endorsed the CEO to manage the tender process at the November meeting in 2019,” committee presiding member Cr Ben Hood said.
“I certainly appreciate and know that every councillor is here because they want to serve their community and do so with transparency and to ask the real and hard questions.
“But as elected members it is also our job to allow the CEO and his team to do their job and do it well and for us to support them.”
Cr Jenner questioned why information about the tender process protocol had not been provided earlier.
Mr Meddle said he “overestimated” how much elected members knew about the process.
When asked if the project was still on schedule, Mr Meddle said the timeline for completion by the end of 2021 had not changed.
However, he flagged potential delays if the State Commission Assessment Panel refused council’s development application for the hub.
“The information I have received to date on the building timelines for the project, indicates there will not be a problem,” he said.
“The decision of the State Commission Assessment Panel will be what causes a problem if they refuse the application and wish for a new application to be lodged.
“But at this stage we remain on time and on the approach of delivery by the end of 2021.”
