“It is considered imperative for project timing, NSW Government funding body requirements, seasonal conditions etcetera that they be presented to council before the caretaker provisions commence on Friday, 5 November 2021,” Federation Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler said at yesterday’s monthly meeting of council.
“The purpose of the meeting is to enable reports to be considered including tender recommendations for major projects, prior to council entering into the caretaker provisions on 5 November 2021, ahead of the 4 December 2021 Local Government elections.”
He said there may also be various other reports to consider, aimed to ensure council business can continue where possible during November.
The delay of the council elections now by three months and to be held on December 4 means that the November caretaker period, whereby the council is prohibited from among other things, determining tenders, is problematic when considering project progress.
“As effectively if not considered then, they would be required to wait until at least 23 December meeting of the new council, assuming an election result is declared and the meeting can be held then, or an early meeting in January,” Mr Butler said.
“This would significantly delay the project at least 3 to 4 months and potentially longer, and place at great risk the funding deed, and causing potential general project timing issues such as then running into winter conditions causing likely construction issues/delays. A major goal of the project is also to keep the saleyards operational through this project.”
