Please complete and submit the Excel sheet "BSC5071 - Table of Services Offered", including the respondent, service office location and indicative hourly rates.

In a separate document, please demonstrate your experience and capability in delivering services for each category you are offering services in.

In a separate document, please provide an overview of your methodology and approach to delivering delivering services for each category you are offering services in.

In a separate document, please provide a summary of key personnel and their field of expertise, including relevant professional memberships or accreditations.

In a separate document, please provide an overview of at least 3 recent relevant consultancies/projects including:

• Client name
• Project title
• Project location
• Project value
• Services provided
• Referee contact details

In a separate document, please demonstrate your knowledge or and experience with local conditions within the Ballina Local Government Area (LGA) and/or adjoining LGA's.

In a separate document, please demonstrate initiatives around Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects of service delivery. Refer item 22 of the EOI document.

Please submit copies of valid Certificates of Currency for the following insurances:
- Public Liability
- Professional Indemnity
- Workers Compensation (or Income Protection for Sole Operators) and any other insurances you hold that you deem relevant.

In a separate document, please detail your current management plans for :
- Quality Management
- Environmental Management
- Work Health & Safety (WHS)

Copies of any ISO accreditation can also be provided.

In a separate document, please provide the name and ABN sub-consultants you may engage to assist with any future work.

Please complete and submit the document "BSC5071 - Conflict of Interest Declaration"

Question:
Council’s services spreadsheet omits a selectable Multidisciplinary Consultancy category although EOI identifies it. How should respondents nominate category G, and is a companion schedule acceptable?

May a respondent select a subcategory when only a defined structural engineering subset is offered, provided the limitations and specialist interfaces are disclosed in the methodology?

The evaluation criterion refers to category-specific publicly available standard and senior hourly rates, but the supplied workbook has only one pair of rate cells. Should respondents provide one pair overall or one pair per nominated category?

Are the EOI indicative hourly rates assessment-only, with future services priced through project-specific negotiated rates and lump-sum quotations, including travel and specialist disbursements?

How does Council assess regional/office-location contribution for a Melbourne-based specialist that regularly works in adjoining Byron Shire and will use approved local subcontractors?

Can respondents submit the names of intended specialists and state that ABN, formal consent and evidence will be provided if shortlisted, or must each prospective subconsultant be formally committed at EOI close?

For relevant-project value, will Council accept professional-service value as commercial-in-confidence (with a range or on-request disclosure), or is a numeric dollar figure mandatory?

Does Council require the entire Quality, Environmental and WHS management system manuals or are approved policies, plan summaries and sample registers sufficient? Is ISO accreditation optional?

For structural/temporary-works-only services under Roads and Traffic, must respondent hold a separate traffic-management/road safety accreditation, or is it acceptable for the traffic component to be separately subcontracted?

Are interstate engineers eligible for professional design roles subject to applicable NSW registration, and are there specific nominated disciplines/registration categories for this panel?

Are all seven categories intended to be accessible to small specialist firms, or will proposals be assessed against full-service requirements across each nominated category?

Can Council provide its Statement of Business Ethics and confirm acceptable method of signing the Conflict of Interest declaration (electronic signature or signed PDF)?

Will Council provide any standard panel deed, rate escalation provisions and interstate travel/disbursement policy before shortlisted respondents accept appointment?

Does Council intend to request specific local availability or maximum response times for emergency assessment call-outs, and may providers nominate advance mobilisation/lead times?

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 12:02 PM:


Q1) Council’s services spreadsheet omits a selectable Multidisciplinary Consultancy category although EOI identifies it. How should respondents nominate category G, and is a companion schedule acceptable?

A1) Respondents can provide details of any multidisciplinary services as a separate submission.

Q2) May a respondent select a subcategory when only a defined structural engineering subset is offered, provided the limitations and specialist interfaces are disclosed in the methodology?

A2) Yes.

Q3) The evaluation criterion refers to category-specific publicly available standard and senior hourly rates, but the supplied workbook has only one pair of rate cells. Should respondents provide one pair overall or one pair per nominated category?

A3) Respondents should provide their highest senior and standard hourly rate for all, rather than each, categories. It will be considered as an indicative gauge of a respondents competitiveness.

Q4) Are the EOI indicative hourly rates assessment-only, with future services priced through project-specific negotiated rates and lump-sum quotations, including travel and specialist disbursements?

A4) Assessment only. Pricing will be requested and provided per separate RFQ's.

Q5) How does Council assess regional/office-location contribution for a Melbourne-based specialist that regularly works in adjoining Byron Shire and will use approved local subcontractors?

A5) Council will assess locality aspects from Local and Community criteria. It is suggested that any local sub-contractors are identified and location provided as part of Local and Community responses.

Q6) Can respondents submit the names of intended specialists and state that ABN, formal consent and evidence will be provided if shortlisted, or must each prospective subconsultant be formally committed at EOI close?

A6) It is suggested that a full list of possible sub-consultants be provided with their ABN.

Q7) For relevant-project value, will Council accept professional-service value as commercial-in-confidence (with a range or on-request disclosure), or is a numeric dollar figure mandatory?

A7) Respondents can provide a range of project value or provide no amount at all.

Q8) Does Council require the entire Quality, Environmental and WHS management system manuals or are approved policies, plan summaries and sample registers sufficient? Is ISO accreditation optional?

A8) Plan summaries are sufficient. Copies of accreditation would support any undertaking a respondent makes that they hold such accreditation.

Q9) For structural/temporary-works-only services under Roads and Traffic, must respondent hold a separate traffic-management/road safety accreditation, or is it acceptable for the traffic component to be separately subcontracted?

A9) Traffic compenents can be sub-contracted. Sun-contractors can be identified in the applicable requirement.

Q10) Are interstate engineers eligible for professional design roles subject to applicable NSW registration, and are there specific nominated disciplines/registration categories for this panel?

A10) Professional staff must hold valid registration in NSW for any services offered.

Q11) Are all seven categories intended to be accessible to small specialist firms, or will proposals be assessed against full-service requirements across each nominated category?

A11) Services for any sub-category can be offered.

Q12) Can Council provide its Statement of Business Ethics and confirm acceptable method of signing the Conflict of Interest declaration (electronic signature or signed PDF)?

A12) Councils Statement of Business ethics is available from Councils website via the link provided in the specifications. Electronic Signature of signed PDF are acceptable.

Q13) Will Council provide any standard panel deed, rate escalation provisions and interstate travel/disbursement policy before shortlisted respondents accept appointment?

A13) Council will issue an invited RFQ to applicable consultants from the shortlist which will include the scope/brief for works required on a case by case basis. The RFQ will specify the contract instrument and request fully itemised pricing.

Q14) Does Council intend to request specific local availability or maximum response times for emergency assessment call-outs, and may providers nominate advance mobilisation/lead times?

A14) Council will not specify or require any defined response times.

Question:
Dear Sir/ Madam,

We are a specialist aviation consulting services company, registered as Leading Edge Aviation Planning Professionals (LEAPP) and will like to clarify if we are suitable to submit for this Panel. We generally are involved in strategic planning services for airports and airport operators, with some projects undertaken including Airport Master Planning, Airport Development Planning, Business Case Study etc. If yes, please confirm which category do we fall into? Thank you very much.

Regards

Shannen Chua

Manager LEAPP

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 05:31 PM:


Council is not seeking aviation consulting services.

Question:
Could Council please confirm whether Category 7, Multidisciplinary Consultancy Services, is intended to include architectural, urban design, masterplanning, landscape architecture, interior design and wayfinding services, either as lead or supporting disciplines?

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 10:53 AM:


Part B of the specification (Strategic Planning Services) covers the areas Council is seeking services.

Question:
The EOI document does not include geotechnical engineering services. Will geotechnical engineering consultants be included in the EOI, or shall geotech need not apply?

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 10:50 AM:


Council is happy to consider expressions of interest to provide geotechnical services.

Question:
Would Council consider Electrical Engineering Design consultancy services?

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 10:48 AM:


Council would consider Electrical Engineering Design consultancy services

Question:
Please confirm whether Council will consider Quantity Surveying services as a standalone consultancy service. Thank you.

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 05:33 PM:


Council is happy to consider submissions for Quantity Surveying Services.

Question:
Part D Water and Wastewater Services - do Council require any cleaning, repairs and maintenance using commercial divers in both potable and or environmental or inspections by ROV?

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 05:34 PM:


Council do not require consultancy services for these works.

Question:
Are there returnable schedules that need to be completed for this EOI?

Answered on 21/Oct/2026 11:10 AM:


Please complete and submit the Excel sheet "BSC5071 - Table of Services Offered", including the respondent, service office location and indicative hourly rates.

All other responses can be provided as separate documents, preferably as separately titled files.

Question:
How does this panel relate to the LGP1205-8 consulting services?

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 05:46 PM:


Council is hoping to receive submissions from suitably qualified and experienced service providers that may and may not be currently on the NSW Local Government Procurement Professional Consultancy Services contract.

We would look to engage from the panel that we develop in first instances. If services required cannot be sourced from this panel, we would look to go out via the LGP contract as a contingency.

Question:
Could Council please clarify whether contractors already approved under the current Local Government Procurement (LGP) T12.08-5 Consulting Services Contract, who have previously been screened and prequalified to provide services to local government councils, are required to complete the Questions asked by the buyer within the EOI application to join Council's Consultancy Services Panel, or whether Council recognises the existing LGP prequalification application and approval process as part of its panel application process?

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 05:50 PM:


Compliant responses will have addressed the requirements of this EOI. The panel will not be run as a sub-contract of the LGP contract.

Question:
For respondents offering Environmental Consultancy Services, can Council confirm whether experience in contaminated land assessment, hazardous materials/asbestos consulting, environmental management, and environmental compliance projects would be considered relevant under the Environmental Assessment and Approvals, Contamination, Hazards and Remediation, and Environmental Management and Compliance categories?

Answered on 20/Oct/2026 06:01 PM:


Council will be happy to consider these services as part of Environmental Management and Compliance.

Question:
Dear Council Panel,

Can you please confirm if you require OT Cyber security services for critical infrastructure environments.

Thankyou in advance

Josh Sumeghy

Snr Technical PM

Answered on 21/Oct/2026 11:05 AM:


OT Cyber security services are not required as part of this EOI.

Question:
Will the panel be open for specialist acoustic consultancies under the Environmental Assessment and Approvals stream?

Answered on 21/Oct/2026 11:07 AM:


Specialist acoustic services are not required as part of this EOI.

Question:
Can Council please confirm whether specialist consultancies can apply under Part B- Strategic Planning Services for specific areas such as community and social planning, community needs assessments, stakeholder engagement and implementation planning, or whether applicants are expected to demonstrate capability across the full scope of services listed under Part B?

Answered on 21/Oct/2026 01:41 PM:


Interested parties can respond to any or all specific sub-categories. They do not need to demonstrate capabilities across all sub-categories or sub-categories they do not service or elect not to service.

Question:
We are preparing a submission for the above EOI and would appreciate clarification on how nominated service categories will be assessed.

Could Council please confirm:

1. Whether respondents must be able to deliver all services listed under a category in order to nominate for that category, or whether it is acceptable to nominate for a category where only some of the listed services can be provided. For example, under the Water and Wastewater category, would it be acceptable if your firm could provide most of the services but not all of them, such as water and wastewater treatment?

2. If partial coverage is acceptable, whether Council would like respondents to state which services within the category they do and do not offer (for example, in the Table of Services Offered or in the capability statement for that category).

Answered on 21/Oct/2026 01:46 PM:


Interested parties can respond to any or all specific sub-categories. They do not need to demonstrate capabilities across all sub-categories or sub-categories they do not service or elect not to service.

Respondents can address just the elements of the sub-category. The Table of Services will be used as a tool for Council to allocate responses to pertinent evaluators.

Question:
Can you clarify whether formal/external accreditation of the specified quality, environmental and WHS management systems is mandatory or whether respondents may demonstrate that their internal management systems are aligned with the relevant standards without formal accreditation?

We note that copies of accreditation certificates may be submitted with the tender and would appreciate confirmation of the minimum compliance requirements required by Council.

Answered on 21/Oct/2026 01:50 PM:


Accreditation, such as ISO, is not mandatory. Respondents must address systems management requirements by demonstrating their current actions and protocols. If respondents cite accreditation, Council would like to confirm same by sighting a copy of the accreditation.

Question:
Could Council please confirm whether occupational hygiene services are included within the scope of BSC5071 – Consultancy Services Panel.

If so, should consultants nominate these services under Environmental Consultancy Services, and are any specific qualifications or accreditations required?

Answered on 22/Oct/2026 10:44 AM:


Council does not require occupational hygiene services as part of this panel.

Question:
Will Council consider submissions from providers of digital asset and compliance management platforms (for example, hazardous materials registers) under Part A or Section 8.8? If so, may such respondents provide professional services rates (for example, implementation, data migration and training) in the Table of Services Offered for the hourly rate criterion?

Answered on 22/Oct/2026 10:34 AM:


Information Technology services are not required as part of this Expression of Interest.

Question:
For Question 5, Council requests at least three recent relevant consultancy/project examples. Could Council please confirm whether the three-example minimum applies to the submission overall, to each nominated Part/service category, or to each nominated sub-category? Is there a maximum number of project examples that respondents may provide?

Answered on 22/Oct/2026 02:13 PM:


Council would be looking for at least 3 x examples in total across the primary service categories respondents are submitting to.

Question:
Acknowledging the information provided in section 23. Contracting Arrangements within ‘EOI571-SPECIFICATIONS-Consultancy_Services_Panel.pdf’, can council provide a copy of the standard terms and conditions under Council’s standard consultancy agreement.

Answered on 22/Oct/2026 04:56 PM:


Council is currently developing a standard consultancy agreement as an available instrument for engagements under this new panel. It is currently being reviewed by Council's legal service provider.

Copies of the applicable instrument will be provided with all RFx for specific projects/engagements.

Question:
Hello, is Council interested in receiving an expression of interest for arboricultural consultancy services?

Answered on 23/Oct/2026 03:17 PM:


Thanks, but arboricultural consultancy services are not required as part of this EOI.

Question:
1. Can Council indicate the types of strategic planning and project management engagements it expects to release in the first 12 to 18 months of the panel so respondents can confirm the availability of nominated personnel?

2. Council’s Partnership Agreement with Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council commits Council to engaging Jali at the concept stage of works and planning proposals. For panel engagements, should consultants engage with Jali through Council (for example, through the Aboriginal cultural projects officer), and are there protocols or cultural engagement requirements consultants should build into methodologies and fees?

Answered on 23/Oct/2026 03:13 PM:


The panel is being developed to be able to respond to ad hoc requirements for consultancy services as and when they arise. Where we have programmed demand, we would approach appropriate shortlisted candidates with the works scope for a fully detailed RFx response.

Similarly, all engagements from the shortlisted panel would be subject to separate RFx, inviting appropriate parties to respond to a defined specification/scope. Applicable protocols/requirements would be covered off in these specifications/scope and taken into account in responses and pricing.

Question:
Will the Project Management category cover on-site contract admin for maintenance and minor works, or mainly capital projects?

Answered on 23/Oct/2026 03:18 PM:


It will cover all aspects of contract management/administration.

Question:
Good afternoon,

I note that within the Environmental Consultancy Services, there is no direct mention to statutory assessments as a separate service. Is this something Council would also be considering within this tender?

Thank-you.

Answered on 23/Oct/2026 04:53 PM:


Council would consider this as a sub-category under Environmental Consultancy Services.