Greater Shepparton City Councillors have welcomed increased tender activity after some quieter months, saying it reflects that council is fulfilling its obligations to the community.
The tenders were issued between February 1 and March 13 by chief executive Fiona Le Gassick and discussed during council’s monthly meeting on March 26.
One of the contracts was for major culvert renewal on Katandra Main Rd at Tallygaroopna.
The $421,932.61 contract was awarded to O’Loughlin Excavations.
The second contract was for stages one and two, or from Waters Reserve to The Boulevard in Shepparton, of the Yanha Gurtji Shared Path.
Cleave’s Earthmoving and Drainage won that $194,013.60 contract.
Cr Fern Summer told the meeting it was pleasing to see activity returning after some months of low activity over summer.
It was a sentiment supported by Cr Greg James.
“There was a period when we had relatively few contracts,” he said.
“It is good to see these contracts back on our agenda, and we’re in a position to tick them off as well, and also, importantly, that it’s being shared around our region as well.
“So looking at the tenders advertised, they are a good balance across our regions as well, which is really encouraging to see.”
The report presented to councillors during the meeting included several tenders that had been advertised, but not yet awarded.
They included major culvert renewals at Caniambo and Dookie, landscaping and maintenance at Creek Reserve in the Edgewater Estate, construction of the Lauriston Estate — St Luke’s Shared Path in Shepparton North, and for survey and design of sealed road renewals.
Four other tenders were advertised, but will not proceed.
They are:
- Major Culvert Renewals — Merrigum. Submissions exceeded the allocated budget for the tender and so council officers are reviewing its scope to re-tender.
- Tatura Park Western Oval Lighting Upgrade. The tender is not proceeding due to it failing to attract external funding, which was a condition for it proceeding. Council officers are applying for alternative funding to deliver the project later in the year.
- Animal Management After Hours Emergency Service. No appropriate submissions were received. Council officers are reviewing its specifications and will re-tender in the coming months.
- Ardmona Resource Recovery Centre Upgrade. This tender is not proceeding due to it failing to attract external funding.
Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Shane Sali said it was not unusual for some tenders not to progress or to be adjusted.
“When the tender goes out, we have to advertise the fact that we put a tender out,” he said.
“It doesn’t always mean that you get a response, or the response that you’re looking for, but you have to let that lapse and then effectively go through another tender process.
“That’s effectively what’s happened with a couple of those projects, but it is really good that things are really active in that (tender) space.”