By Dominique Tassell
Southern Downs Regional Council passed a motion at the recent Ordinary Council Meeting stating they would enter into a contract with GenEng Solutions Pty Ltd for reconstruction works relating to this years’ flood events, and would amend the Capital Works budget accordingly.
Council will now enter into a contract with GenEng Solutions Pty Ltd for the program management of the Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets (REPA) for the February 2022 and May 2022 declared flood events, and approve the amendment to the 2022-23 Capital Budget to include the fully-funded Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement (DRFA) recovery works for the February 2022 and May 2022 Flood Events.
In the meeting, Cr Stephen Tancred stated how unfortunate it is that the region has suffered five declared events in 26 months.
“It was great to break the drought, but you know that’s unbelievable,” he said. “Five declared events in just over two years.”
Cr Tancred stated that GenEng Solutions Pty Ltd “have demonstrated their expertise by managing every aspect of the recovery efforts”.
“They have extensive understanding and knowledge in our region,” he said.
“I think that’s very important because we have a couple of different distinct soil types and we have some interesting drainage lines and areas of settlement, historical, that give those particular problems that they mightn’t have on the coast or out west or up north, so I’m very happy that we’re giving the contract to someone that understands our particular situation.”
Cr Tancred highlighted that the tenders were ranked in two ways, “one including price and one excluding”, and that GenEng Solutions Pty Ltd had topped both rankings.
A staff member stated that they look forward to the day when we don’t need these services.
Mayor Vic Pennisi responded, “you and me both, trust me”.
GenEng Solutions Pty Ltd have previously been working on behalf of the Council for the events associated with February 2020, March 2021, and November 2021.
Sixteen offers were received for the Project Management of Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement (DRFA) Declared Events.
All costs associated with the program management of the recovery efforts are recoverable under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement (DRFA).
In order for arrangements to be made for the capital works components of the flood recovery works, Council is required to include two works, totalling $12,500, in its Capital Budget.
The motion was moved by Cr Tancred and seconded by Cr Sheryl Windle.
