THE search for a development partner for the Forster Civic Precinct project has taken a new twist after its last expression of interest process failed to meet (the now former) Great Lakes Council’s requirements.
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It’s now seven months since global property and real estate advisor Savills Australia was engaged to explore development opportunities for the impending civic precinct site in Forster, now located on the corner of Lake and West Streets. Expressions of Interest opened from late November to February but following an evaluation process council found its “requirements were not fully met at the conclusion of the EOI process,” and so were unable to shortlist the proponents through to the next stage of procurement, as originally intended.
“The EOI process was therefore terminated. Using the information obtained from the EOI process, Council has determined that a new procurement process will be commenced with a select number of developers (which were identified through the EOI process) being invited to submit a detailed proposal based on specifications and requirements stipulated by Council,” Steve Embry, council’s director of Corporate and Community Development said.
Savills are now assisting with the development of a detailed brief and Request for Proposal process to build a public and private facility with a library and public meeting space at the site.
“The tender documentation has not been fully prepared at this stage therefore this information cannot be provided. However a detailed designed brief is being developed for the key components of the civic precinct,” he said.
The tender documentation will include functional design briefs which contain council's mandatory specifications and requirements in relation to the civic infrastructure that the successful developer will provide on council's behalf.
“Those design briefs will be informed based on a number of inputs including external consultant advice. At this stage it has not been determined the exact location or design of any of the civic infrastructure. Indeed, the final design (including co-location of any of the civic infrastructure) will not be certain until finally signed off by both the successful developer and council prior to lodgement of plans for development consent.”
Mr Embry added he could not divulge any details about who the interested parties are due to the tender process being underway, but he hoped the process would achieve the best value for money result for Council.
Staff are currently identifying further opportunities for consultation.
“There will be specific consultation on the needs of the community in relation to public hall space, meeting rooms and performance space.”
While still too early in the process to provide any project milestone dates, Mr Embry is hopeful of appointing a project partner by the end of 2016.
