Work will be carried out on the Shellharbour City Hub site next week, but the council's acting general manager Carey McIntyre has stressed that it doesn't mean construction has started.
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In August, the council entered into a $192,000 contract with ADCO Constructions for "early contractor involvement" for the contentious $57 million project.
ADCO Constructions will help refine the design and lock in a completion price.
As part of their involvement, ADCO will carry out geological assessment work on the hub site at the corner of College and Cygnet avenues on September 25.
Mr McIntyre said the work would involve an excavator digging test pits, which were designed to provide extra information on any geotechnical issues.
"While the work is part of planning for the project and ensuring the pricing of it is as accurate as possible, it's important to stress that it does not mean construction has started," Mr McIntyre said.
He said the elected council would consider awarding a full contract to design and build the hub at a later date.
This would be subject to the outcome of the hub's development application and the sale of council properties.
The development application will be determined by the Southern Joint Regional Planning Panel.