Question:
Hi,

1. Is federal safety required?

2. What are the TMR prequal Bridge, Road & Financial ratings required for the project?

Many Thanks,

Answered on 07/Sep/2026 09:01 AM:


1. No, as per amended Contract Information Item number 16, accreditation under the Australian Government Work Health and Safety accreditation scheme is not required.

2. No TfNSW (or mutual recognition from other Agencies) prequalifications are required, tenders will be assessed based on weighted non price criteria (Schedule 1). Financial assessments of tenderer will be made as per Schedule 7

Question:
Can you please confirm the scope of works for this tender is only the bridge and earthworks for the abutments, and the roadworks associated with the re-alignment of Toose Road is excluded?

Answered on 14/Sep/2026 03:13 PM:
(edited on 14/Sep/2026 03:14 PM)


The scope of works for this tender is the bridge and the earthworks required to install permanent scour protections of the abutments and piers.

These earthworks as a minimum shall allow a Class 5 vehicle to pass over the bridge and turn around at the western approach for access back over the bridge. Embankments constructed to facilitate the installation of scour protection and/or access across the bridge for class 5 vehicle are to be installed as per TfNSW Specifications TS 01723 and TS 02158.2.

Question:
In regards to the extent of earthworks required, it is really open to interpretation on the extent of works required. For clarity and to ensure all contractors allow for the same extent of works, can Council provide a sketch/drawing showing the extent of works all contractors are to allow for.

Answered on 16/Sep/2026 08:52 AM:


Please refer to the recently posted Addendum 2 for the answer and reference of new supporting document.

Thank you,

Question:
Please confirm the required Time Period for Completion for the construction activities under Contract Information item 7, which is presently stated as “TBA”, and advise whether there is any required final completion date or construction program constraint

Answered on 17/Sep/2026 03:13 PM:


Target program and milestones are provided in the Specification. The completions of works milestone is no later than December 2028. Contract Information will be updated as part of Contract Execution based on the submitted program from successful Tenderer.

Question:
As this is a Design and Construct tender, will Council consider alternative structural configurations that comply with the specified scope and performance requirements, including the use of more readily and commercially available bridge components such as Super T-beams?

Super T-beams are available from multiple suppliers and may provide greater procurement flexibility, competitive pricing and constructability benefits compared with the components nominated in the current concept design, which appear to have limited supplier availability.

Answered on 21/Sep/2026 03:48 PM:


Council are preparing an addendum to better define the requirements of a conforming tender, based on feedback received during the mandatory pre-tender meeting and site visit. Alternative tenders will be considered provided a conforming tender is also provided.

However, for the use of Super T-beams KSC advises that TfNSW Bridge Technical Direction BTD 2011/06 Rev 1 | RMS.19.1379 – 24 September 2011 (item 10) restrict the use of Super T-beams where the soffit of the Super T-beam is below the 1 in 50 year flood level. For this reason, it is unlikely that Council would accept the use of Super T-beams for this bridge.

Question:
Figure R44.7 of TS02158.2 nominates a minumum 750mm bench in front of the abutment for access for bearing inspections etc. The concept drawing does not show this detail. Does council want an inspection bench in front of the abutment?

Answered on 22/Sep/2026 12:49 PM:


An inspection bench is required to comply with nominated specification.

Question:
The Document TQE_26_13 "Specifications" in the Section 'Program and Schedule' states that "The program shall be in MS Project or an approved alternative". We propose developing the project program in the latest version of Oracle Primavera P6 Professional as it is widely regarded as the preferred planning software 'industry-wide' for the modelling of complex infrastructure projects. All stated design, construction and milestone requirements will be readily incorporated into our P6 network model. Can Kempsey Shire Council confirm approval for the use of P6 for this tender?

Answered on 23/Sep/2026 12:06 PM:


Council approves the provision of project program from Oracle Primavera P6 Professional.

Question:
In the Tender Schedules on Page 10, Section 5 - "Schedule of Program Information" at the end of the first paragraph it states: "Avoid including dates in the program". Can Council provide clarity on this statement?

Answered on 22/Sep/2026 01:03 PM:


The Schedule of Program should identify the proposed sequence, durations and timing of key milestones and activities without reference to specific calendar dates. This approach assists with contract development, execution and commencement activities with consideration to flexibility in establishing the contract start date.

Tenderers should provide the proposed duration of activities and milestones, expressed as periods from the contract commencement date, rather than nominating fixed calendar dates.

Please note that the Specification includes indicative dates for contract commencement, key milestones and practical completion for planning purposes.

Question:
Can Council provide a copy of the proposed GC21 Contract in a WORD format so that we more easily comment on possible changes and items to discuss using TRACK CHANGES.

Answered on 22/Sep/2026 12:54 PM:


On this occasion, Council has decided not to provide the document in WORD Format.

Further, please ensure Qualifications and Departures requested as part of your submissionvis recorded in the Returnable Schedules, Schedule 3.

Question:
Can council please provide the road design model.

Answered on 22/Sep/2026 01:41 PM:
(edited on 22/Sep/2026 01:45 PM)


Please refer to recently posted Addendum 3.

Council has provided a document containing Design Strings and Tin in CAD format.

- TQE 26 13 - Addendum 3 - 12594966-GHD-00-00-MDL-DESN STRS

Question:
If possible, can Council please indicate if an EOT will be granted or not by COB today?

Answered on 25/Sep/2026 11:53 AM:


Council is currently considering an Extension of Time to the Tender open to market. An answer will be provided as soon as possible, expected early next week.

Question:
Please clarify which scour protection details should be used for the tender design of the abutments and piers. We note that there is a significant discrepancy between the Drawings and the Hydraulic Assessment Report. The drawings call up a minimum thickness of scour protection of 600 mm at the abutments, whilst the Report calls up 2400 mm minimum thickness. Similar discrepancy also occurs at the piers.

Can you also clarify the extent of the scour protection in Phase 1 of the works with the earthworks at the abutments restricted to that provided in the Addenda No. 2 and as shown on the Briefing slide. Is the scour rock to be placed on the temporary face of the earthworks that will be later extended in Phase 2 (ie would then have to be removed and relocated in Phase 2?)

Answered on 29/Sep/2026 02:52 PM:


Council draws tenderers attention to Contract Information - Design and Documentation Scope of design activities A - Design by the contractor: where scour protection design is to be fully undertaken by the contractor. The hydraulic report provides an assessment for the calculation for riprap scour protection via methodology within HEC-23 and Austroads. Council acknowledges that there are other solutions within Austroads and welcomes innovation to address these project requirements. The drawings note a typical min thickness and preliminary rock size. As such, Council recommend tenderers review the provided documentation and make themselves aware of the site conditions and make allowance in their tender for appropriately designed scour protection.

The Stage 1 extent of rock should extend for the proposed earthen extent for the stage 1 works. Council acknowledge that the rock on the eastern ramp section will need to be removed at the commencement of Stage 2 but require this to protect the works from washout between the stages.

Question:
In the drawing in Addenda No.3 showing the limit of earthworks for Phase 1 there is also a series of blue arrows at the toe of the embankment shown. This is presumed to show an overland water path contained in an earthwork swale around the new roadwork draining back into the river. Is this swale to be included in the scope for Phase 1 around the limited earthworks proposed at the abutments? Does this proposed swale require scour protection into the river? Is the swale lined?

Alternatively, should any swale in this location be ignored for the purposes of this tender and not be part of the current proposed scope.

Answered on 29/Sep/2026 11:02 AM:


The blue arrows on the Civil Drawings are “Clean Water Diversion Drains” or can be termed as “Catch Drains” to align with Austroads Terminology, these are provided to collect flows from the high side of the embankments and prevent erosion of the embankment toe. As the earthworks for Phase 1 are permanent, the embankment toe is to be protected and design is to be done as per Austroads guidelines (Part 5B - as adopted by TfNSW). The size and compositional makeup of the drainage asset is to be determined by the Tenderer through the design process which would include the appropriate treatment to prevent erosion of the channel or the adjacent embankment.

Question:
To develop a well considered submission including design and robust construction methodology we request a 2 week extension of time.

Answered on 28/Sep/2026 01:19 PM:
(edited on 28/Sep/2026 01:20 PM)


Council has extended the closing date by approximately 2 weeks. The new closing date is Thursday 22 October 2026 at 2pm. Council carefully considered funding milestone implications and the quantity of work and material to review and analyse to prepare quality submission when making this decision.

Question:
As discussed during the tender briefing and later at the site inspection, the available time to complete the “Design & Construct” tender submission is very short for work of this nature. We believe that there are a number of options that could be pursued that will provide significant benefits to Council and the community which will require time to develop and verify.



We request that an additional two weeks be added to the tender ‘close date’ so that Council can receive the best possible submission for this important local Project.

Answered on 28/Sep/2026 01:18 PM:
(edited on 28/Sep/2026 01:21 PM)


Council has extended the closing date by approximately 2 weeks. The new closing date is Thursday 22 October 2026 at 2pm. Council carefully considered funding milestone implications and the quantity of work and material to review and analyse to prepare quality submission when making this decision.