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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 8 Hansard (9 August) . . Page.. 2974 ..

background in urban planning would provide the best service, in that it would have the training skills, the necessary accreditation, and the subject knowledge.

The Centre for Local Government Studies (part of the University of Technology in Sydney) was judged to be the only suitable service provider because:

a) it runs courses similar to those required and has a detailed working knowledge of current ACT planning processes, structures and issues and the Australian Model Code for Residential Development (AMCORD).

b) The tertiary institutions in Canberra (UC, ANU and CIT) do not currently offer a course of this type. Whilst RMIT in Melbourne have had involvement in national AMCORD training and have developed similar courses, they do not have any recent experience with the ACT planning system.

The consultants very successfully completed the required training program within the specified timeframe. However, the Assembly requested that the Draft Residential Policies be released for a further round of public consultation, but not in the form of a draft Plan Variation. The timetable for the consultation program and the need to reach as many individuals, groups and organisations in the community, in the most effective way, were key considerations. PALM considered, on balance, that it would be sensible to use the consultants who had delivered the training program to facilitate a series of workshops and discussions and assist in the communication program. The consultants had developed a very detailed knowledge of the issues associated with the draft policies and were well placed to help engage all sectors of the community in a participative review process.

3) Is the centre on a list of prequalified consultants?

The Centre is not included on the ACT Government (Urban Services) prequalification register. This register is a database for the prequalification scheme administered by the Construction Industry Policy Unit of ACT Procurement Solutions and is used principally for consultants and contractors undertaking the Capital Works program.

4) What is the total value of the consultancy to date?

The total value of the training and facilitation consultancies is $113,141+GST. Of this, some $109,841 has been expended to date. The break up of the consultancy is as follows:

(a) training program: $69,791 + GST.

(b) 3 month public consultation program, including preparation of informational resources and facilitation of workshops for the community and industry: (an additional cost over (a) above) $43, 350 + GST

from early June 2001

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

Work remaining includes two industry workshops and one community workshop which are to be run in early July. The cost of these is projected to be $3,300.

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