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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 8 Hansard (9 August) . . Page.. 2973 ..

Centre for Local Government Studies-consultancies

(Question No 384)

Mr Corbell asked the Minister for Urban Services, upon notice:

In relation to the engagement of the Centre for Local Government Studies to consult on ACTCODE No 2:

(I) Was there a public tender for the consultancy.

(2) If not, why not.

(3) Is the centre on a list of prequalified consultants.

(4) What is the total value of the consultancy to date.

(5) What is the projected cost of the remaining work under the consultancy.

(6) What previous consultancy work has the centre undertaken on behalf of Planning and Land Management (PALM).

(7) What background does the centre have in urban planning issues.

Mr Smyth: The answer to the member's question is as follows:

In relation to the engagement of the Centre for Local Government Studies to consult on ACTCode No 2:

1) Was there a public tender for the consultancy?

The consultants were engaged, initially to deliver an ACTCode training program, through a single select tender process in accordance with ACT Government Purchasing Policy outlined in the ACT Government Purchasing Circular 2000/2 SELECT TENDERS.

2) If not, why not?

The proposed Policies for Residential Development, including ACTCode, were released for information purposes on 4 October 2000. It was anticipated at the time that the documents would be released formally as a draft Variation to the Territory Plan early in 2001. PALM required staff and industry training for the revised residential policies in time for their introduction as a draft Variation with interim effect.

This work could not commence until January 2001 when the final content of the proposed draft variation and the release date in March 2001 had been determined. The consultants had to design and deliver the training program within a ten week period.

Achieving the stringent timetable set for the program required a team of skilled trainers with qualifications in planning and architecture, a sound working knowledge of the subject, and a thorough understanding of the ACT planning processes and staff skills. It was decided that a tertiary institution with a very strong

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