Wollongong City Council is expected to award three tenders worth more than half a million dollars when it meets on Monday night, in what is shaping up to be a mammoth meeting.
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Councillors will be asked to back staff recommendations to award a $326,500 contract to upgrade the pedestrian bridge on Farrell Road at Bulli; a $150,000 tender to construct a debris control structure at the Cosgrove Avenue culvert at Keiraville; and a $133,000 contract for the resealing of pavers in the Crown Street Mall.
The combined value of the tenders exceeds $600,000.
However, it is a fourth tender that won’t be finalised that could well gather the most community attention.
Staff have recommended councillors reject all the tenders on offer for the planned Bulli Surf Life Saving Club extension.
They did not reveal how many companies submitted tenders for the project, nor did they reveal why those applications failed to meet their requirements, only saying that “none of the tenders are currently acceptable”.
It is recommended councillors vote to allow staff to begin negotiations with the tenderers “with a view to entering into a contract.”
The council report says the expansion plans came about after the surf club identified a need to increase the size of its storage gear area.
At the same time the club also proposed an addition to the current building by way of a two-storey extension to the southern side of the premises.
Under the current plans, the second-storey part of the extension would be built to lock-up stage, with the club to be responsible for the later internal fitout of the clubroom and its facilities.
The report says the club has committed to providing $640,000 towards the project which includes a $350,000 grant under the government’s surf club facility development program, a further $30,000 by way of a community building partnership grant and the remaining money via fundraising activities.
“Council should endorse the recommendations of the report to allow for the negotiation of an acceptable price based on a revised scope of works for the extension and refurbishment of the club,” the report concludes.
Meantime, the Bulli pedestrian bridge tender, expected to be handed to Regents Park outfit Abergeldie Contractors Pty Ltd, will allow for upgrades to the eroding timber decking and replacement of the bridge’s corroded steel elements.
Farrell Road will be closed when the work is carried out.