Question:
To Whom It May Concern,

Please see a list of questions/clarifications to help inform the preparation of a proposal.

Timeframe and Program:

• What is the Council's target completion date for the final deliverables?

• What is the Council's expected review/turnaround time on draft deliverables? The scope mentions a "Council review period" as a milestone, but doesn't quantify it. To assist with developing a project program, can this be defined?

Budget and Fee Expectations:

• Is there an indicative budget range for the core scope? Providing a budget will help us determine the depth of analysis the Council is expecting.

• For the optional live music/major events scope, is Council seeking only hourly rates for this work (based on the limited scope definition) or is a lump sum fee for these components expected?

Stakeholder Consultation:

• Can Council provide a preliminary stakeholder list or at least confirm the overall numbers, to assist with developing a fee proposal?

Business Case Standard and Format:

• Does Council have a preferred business case framework (e.g. NSW Government or Council's own template)? The scope doesn't specify.

• Does Council require socio/economic analysis (ie CBA)

• Is the business case intended to be a Council-internal decision document, or does it need to satisfy external requirements (e.g.Office of Sport)?

Financial Analysis and Data Access:

• Does Council have an existing asset management plan or lifecycle cost model for the oval's infrastructure, or is the consultant expected to develop assumptions from scratch?

• Will Council provide actual revenue data (ticketing, catering, naming rights, signage) from recent seasons, or is the consultant expected to work from benchmarks and market analysis only?

Operational and Governance Specifics:

• Has Council already formed a preliminary view on its preferred management model (in-house vs outsourced vs independent unit), or is this a genuinely open question?

• Are the suite of templates and required documentation outlined in the Venue Management and Operational Plan scope to provide strategic direction/guidance, or is the expectation for these to be detailed manuals for operational use?

• Will the appointed consultant have access to the separately appointed design team to obtain and verify information, especially for the optional scope components?

Regards

Answered on 15/Apr/2026 08:55 AM:


Business Case and Venue Management & Operational Plan – Leichhardt Oval

Supplier Questions – Council Response (with Default Assumptions)

________________________________________

Timeframe and Program

Q: What is Council’s target completion date for the final deliverables?

A: Council’s target completion date for final deliverables is 30 September 2026, subject to Council controlled dependencies and timely provision of information.

Q: What is Council’s expected review / turnaround time on draft deliverables?

A: Council anticipates a 10 business day review period for draft deliverables at each formal milestone.

________________________________________

Budget and Fee Expectations

Q: Is there an indicative budget range for the core scope?

A: Council does not intend to disclose an indicative budget range. Proponents are asked to propose a fee reflecting the scope and effort required to meet the brief.

Q: For the optional live music / major events scope, is Council seeking hourly rates or a lump sum fee?

A: For the optional scope, Council is seeking a lump sum fee.

________________________________________

Stakeholder Consultation

Q: Can Council provide a preliminary stakeholder list or confirm overall numbers?

A: A final stakeholder list has not been confirmed. For fee proposal purposes, proponents should assume consultation with approximately 12–15 stakeholders.

Stakeholders are expected to include:

• Relevant internal Council officers

• Key venue user groups and regular hirers

• Peak sporting bodies relevant to oval use

• Government stakeholders where appropriate (e.g. Office of Sport)

Community wide consultation is not anticipated as part of this commission.

________________________________________

Business Case Standard and Format

Q: Does Council have a preferred business case framework or template?

A: Council does not mandate a specific template. A business case aligned with NSW Government business case principles is appropriate.

Q: Does Council require socio economic analysis (e.g. cost–benefit analysis)?

A: Yes, a proportionate qualitative and quantitative socio economic assessment is required. Analysis should be fit for purpose, using high level quantitative indicators and qualitative benefit assessment rather than a full discounted cash flow CBA.

Q: Is the business case intended for internal or external decision making?

A: The business case is primarily intended for internal Council decision making, but must be suitable for external review by agencies such as the Office of Sport if required.

________________________________________

Financial Analysis and Data Access

Q: Does Council have an existing asset management or lifecycle cost model?

A: Council will provide available asset and capital planning information where it exists. Consultants should expect to develop supplementary lifecycle and operational cost assumptions where gaps exist. Existing data may be incomplete or high level, and reasonable professional judgement will be required.

Q: Will Council provide actual revenue data or should consultants rely on benchmarks?

A: Council will provide available historical revenue data, including venue hire and event related income where available. Consultants should supplement gaps with benchmarking and market analysis, clearly stating assumptions and data sources.

________________________________________

Operational and Governance Specifics

Q: Has Council formed a preliminary view on its preferred management model?

A: No. The management model remains an open question. Proponents are expected to test in house, outsourced, and hybrid models.

Q: Are the Venue Management and Operational Plan templates intended as high level guidance or detailed manuals?

A: The plans are intended to provide strategic direction, governance clarity, and implementation guidance. Documents should be operationally usable but not line by line procedural manuals unless specifically justified.

Q: Will the consultant have access to the separately appointed design team?

A: Yes. The consultant will have access to relevant Council officers and the design team to confirm assumptions and technical inputs, particularly where optional scopes intersect. Coordination will be information sharing and verification focused, not design management.

Question:
1. With the revision to the scope to include Henson Oval is Council Seeking:

- A single integrated operating model across the two venues or two independent venue operating models?

- One combined Business Case or two separate Business Cases for each venue

- One combined Operational Plan or two separate Operational plans for each venue

- Is Council seeking a joint management structure or is this up to the Consultant to determine

2. Is Council Seeking Financial Modelling at Strategic level only or detailed operational forecasting?

-
Is capex lifecycle modelling expected?

3. Is council seeking Comparable Venue Benchmarks?

a. If so, is Council expecting interstate/international benchmarking and what is benchmarking expected to include (ie. Below):

- Governance

- Event programming

- venue operations

- commercial models

- boutique stadium positioning.

Answered on 02/Jun/2026 08:22 AM:


1.With the revision to the scope to include Henson Oval is Council seeking:

• A single integrated operating model across the two venues or two independent venue operating models?

Council is seeking consideration of a single, integrated operating model across both venues, while still recognising the distinct roles, catchments, and operational requirements of each site.

• One combined Business Case or two separate Business Cases for each venue?

Council is seeking one combined Business Case that addresses both venues, with clear differentiation of assumptions, costs, benefits, and risks attributable to each venue where relevant.

• One combined Operational Plan or two separate Operational Plans for each venue?

Council is seeking one combined Operational Plan covering both venues, with venue specific operational detail included as required.

• Is Council seeking a joint management structure or is this up to the Consultant to determine?

Council is open to consultant led recommendations regarding management structure, noting that any proposed model should clearly articulate governance, accountabilities, and operational practicality across both venues.

________________________________________

2. Is Council seeking Financial Modelling at strategic level only or detailed operational forecasting?

Council is seeking financial modelling at both a strategic and high level operational forecasting level, sufficient to inform decision making and long term sustainability assessment.

• Is capex lifecycle modelling expected?

Yes, capex lifecycle modelling is expected at a high level, including assumptions regarding renewal, maintenance, and long term asset stewardship.

________________________________________

3. Is Council seeking Comparable Venue Benchmarks?

Yes, Council is seeking comparable venue benchmarking to inform the Business Case and Operational Plan.

a. If so, is Council expecting interstate/international benchmarking and what is benchmarking expected to include?

Benchmarking may include relevant interstate and, where appropriate, international examples. Benchmarking is expected to cover governance structures, event programming, venue operations, commercial models, and positioning of boutique or community focused stadiums.

Question:
Hello,

Are there any Days scheduled for a site inspection for Henson Park?

If possible, a second inspection of Leichhardt Oval on the same day would be of benefit also including Back of House areas.

VenueWorks

0424923004

Answered on 02/Jun/2026 08:24 AM:


1. Are there any Days scheduled for a site inspection for Henson Park? Not at this stage.

A - The park is open to the public and the consultant can attend at any time.

2. If possible, a second inspection of Leichhardt Oval on the same day would be of benefit also including Back of House areas.

A - Leichhardt Oval is open to the public and the consultant can attend at any time, however there is no access to the back of house, and this is being refurbished as per the plans that have been issued.