Gannawarra Shire Council staff have awarded the $500,000 State Government’s Community Development Fund to Melbourne based Urban Enterprises.
The $500,000 grant from the Victorian Labor Government was in response to the Andrews – Allan Government’s decision to end over 150 years of native forestry in the state.
Urban Enterprises edged out three rival bids for the contract, two being Barham-based and from Bendigo.
The tenders closed on June 17, with the council advising applicants that the intended completion of the evaluation of tenders would be July 1, and negotiations/approval by council would be completed July 17. Despite the advised dates, sources reveal that GSC staff had already awarded the contract and contacted applicants as early as June 26.
Gannawarra Shire Council stated this week that the council had followed a tender process guided via Gannawarra Shire Council’s Procurement policy and that councillors were not involved in the selection process.
“Four companies submitted a tender for the Koondrook Local Development Strategy, with an internal assessment panel established to assess each tender as per our Procurement policy,” stated Council Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson.
“Councillors do not participate in the assessment process, as outlined in our Procurement policy, and the identity of companies that submit any tender remain commercial in confidence.
“Council has led the way in attracting new and sustainable industries to the municipality, such as renewable energy and nature based tourism opportunities, and the development of the Koondrook Local Development Strategy will identify similar opportunities for Koondrook.
“Urban Enterprises developed a positive relationship with Council and residents when it was tasked to develop the Waterfront Masterplans for Koondrook, Cohuna and the Kerang Lakes during 2018, with their work inspiring transformational projects completed in recent years across the Gannawarra,” Mr Rollinson said.
When asked about the procurement process, Koondrook Development Committee President Tom Chick said there was rigour in the process.
“I believe there was rigour involved in it and there was procedures that needed to be followed with governance.
“On Thursday, in speaking with the department and Gannawarra Shire, this is about the governance of the project and ensuring there is no vested interests at play.”
Mr Chick said Urban Enterprises were not new kids on the block and had 30-plus years of experience in this type of work.
“I believe there’s quite a lot of work that has been done locally in the past, so they’re not new kids on the block, they’ve got experience, and my view is I want this job to go to the best group to deliver,” said Mr Chick.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 18 July 2024.