6th June 2018
Cootamundra’s Water Main Replacement Program moved a step closer to reality last week. The Stronger Communities Fund project which was allocated a $2 million budget has now moved into a phase where tenders have been invited.
CGRC identified the urgent need to replace the 60 year old water mains in the Cootamundra town area. With 19 kilometres being the old ductile cast iron pipes, laid in the 1930’s. The replacement estimated cost would be in excess of $5 million. Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council will spend $2 million of Stronger Community Fund monies and will be considering further escalating a full replacement of the old mains system through a borrowing program.
The tender for Cootamundra town water main replacement, has been loaded onto TenderLink and advertised externally in tender section of the Sydney Morning Herald. It went by direct email to over 2000 perspective contractors. TenderLink is one of the largest online procurement communities in Australasia. Offering services to buyers and suppliers.
A pre-tender meeting was held in Cootamundra on Thursday 31st May, that saw representatives from eleven specialist companies come together to scope the project, have questions answered and carry out their own investigations. Attendance by Tenderers was mandatory to be considered eligible for award of the contracted works.
Representatives from CGRC, Phil McMurray, Director Asset Management, Tulshi Shrestha, Asset Management Engineer and Daryl Kelly, Water and Sewer Foreman hosted the meeting and were on hand to answer questions.
After the meeting a tour was conducted to different sites around Cootamundra and were inspected to give perspective tenderers the opportunity to see first-hand some of the issues they will need to consider in their tenders.
CGRC’s Phil McMurray, Director Asset Management said he was pleased with the turn out.
“This is a large and important project, and we want to ensure that we get value for money, and the successful tender is awarded to a company that can deliver our objectives. They need to demonstrate how they can manage all aspects of the project, including minimizing the impacts and inconvenience to residents and road users, by utilizing trenchless technologies in combination with traditional dig and lay.” Mr McMurray said.
He added, “The meeting attracted representatives from large companies who are showing an interest in this project, I’m aware of one that has spent the two days in town researching the scope of the job, we want to be confident that the successful tendered will work together with Council and keep disruptions to residents and Cootamundra business at a minimum.”
Tenders close on Wednesday 20 June at 4pm.
Picture and caption
Sites around Cootamundra were inspected by representatives from companies who may tender for the replacement of Cootamundra’s Water Mains. A pre-tender meeting was held on Thursday before the tour to enable prospective tenderers to gain more information on the project.
