Apollo Bay Harbour precinct project proceeds to expression of interest
December 14, 2017
Planning for the future of the Apollo Bay Harbour precinct has progressed to the next stage with the commencement of an expression of interest and subsequent tender process.
Mayor Joe McCracken said the EOI process was an opportunity for the private sector to put detailed business proposals to Council and the community for the precinct.
Council has put aside $150,000 to fund the EOI process.
Cr McCracken said the next step in the process was to develop the EOI documentation and assessment criteria in partnership with the project control group of seven Apollo Bay and district community members.
“Council will appoint experienced consultants to prepare the EOI documentation and act as probity auditors throughout the process,” Cr McCracken said.
“Council also needs to seek the State Government’s authorisation to proceed with the EOI process.
“Subject to receiving formal support to proceed from State Government, the key step after the EOI is shortlisting, and at that point we will decide whether to proceed to the tender stage.”
A previous market testing exercise established that under the current planning controls, there was little interest from the private sector in providing public infrastructure in the harbour precinct.
Any future acceptance of tenders from the private sector would be subject to the preparation of a development plan, which will involve further community consultation.
The market testing phase completed in August this year was successful in gauging the degree of private sector interest in the harbour.
Cr McCracken said Council hoped that the EOI process would assist Council to make real steps towards a harbour development the town could be proud of.
“Apollo Bay and district community members have collaboratively supported the process to date, and we hope this innovative level of community involvement in decision making can continue to make the project a success.”
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