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Whyalla will move another step closer to a new jetty when it assesses tenders for design work and construction management next month.
A request for quotes (RFQ) has been issued for consultants to submit design work and construction management plans as the first stage of the building project. This RFQ closes on December 15 with council aiming to appoint a consultant by the end of this year.
Once the consultant is appointed and the design and construction plans approved, a tender process will be put in place for the supply of materials, components and building services. This will allow local contractors to bid for work in their areas of expertise.
The design and construction documents will then be used to oversee the construction of the new jetty including a provision for the removal of the existing structure.
This approach differs from a “design built” jetty involving a single construction company which could exclude any local contractor involvement.
“Council is doing all we can to ensure there’s as much local content in this project as we can achieve. We want to keep the benefits of construction in Whyalla,” Council CEO Chris Cowley said.
“It’s absolutely critical that we get local content in this project because it ensures ownership and that the investment the state government and council is making stays in the community.
“Looking at the skills and experience we have in our community I believe we have everything that’s required here to complete the role. In a perfect world, this project will be 100 per cent local.”
Council is aiming to have the necessary design and construction management plan in place by the first two months of next year allowing the tender process for supply of materials and components to start.
This timeline fits in with council’s aim to have construction start midyear and the jetty finished by the end of the year.
“We know everyone desperately wants to get the new jetty built and we are going as quickly as we can but we also need to do this right for future generations,” Mr Cowley said.
“It is also important we involve the community in this process, hence the extensive community consultation and council is also working hard to involve local industry.
“What we are hoping to see is a plan that best matches what the community has told us it wants.”
A number of suggestions and options for the jetty were received during the community consultation including the desire for a longer jetty, wider platform at the end, led/solar lighting, bait stations, seating, shelter, information signage, drinking foundations, stairs to the water, a kiosk, public toilets and a desire to use durable materials to protect from vandal damage.
With several initial design options put forward, Option C was one of the most popular in the community consultation and was a design that incorporated most of the desired features.
PICTURES - Above: City of Whyalla CEO Chris Cowley at the Whyalla jetty. Below: One of the most favoured choices, Option C, for a new jetty design.
