The call followed councillors’ rejection of an earlier round of tenders last October which general manager Warwick Bennett said were “significantly higher” than the $12.1 million budget.

Brodyn Pty Ltd (trading as TCQ Construction), Edwards Construction, Lahey Constructions, Project Coordination and Zauner Constructions lodged expressions of interest, which closed on December 11. TCQ Construction was one of two companies that also lodged a tender last year.

All the builders have been issued request for tender documentation. 

Mr Bennett said a project management team, including operations director Matt O’Rourke, will meet with the parties at the end of this month to discuss their ideas for reducing the cost.

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“We will also investigate separating the construction and demolition because tenderers were loading up their cost with risk associated with demolishing the 1937 addition from the original building,” he said.

Mr Bennett said if the council assumed some of that risk, it could reduce the price. Asked whether this would mean a cost to the council, he said they were confident in the heritage advice.

“We believe that we can manage (the risk) through the demolition methodology. Some may have to be done by hand but we believe the 1887 building has structural integrity,” he said. 

Mr Bennett met with State Government representatives to update them on the process on January 12. He said the government, which was part funding the venue was understanding of the delays and it would not affect its financial commitment.

State representatives form part of the project working party which also includes Mr Bennett and the site’s heritage adviser.

The aim is to have builders onsite by June. The tender documents are expected to be lodged in March, with a report to go to councillors later that month or early April for a decision on a company to construct the facility.

“It is on track and it is affordable,” Mr Bennett said.

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