Following the fire, Forbes Shire Council initiated a tender process for the rebuild via the LGP420 Major & Minor Civil Works & Materials contract. However, the project hit a major hurdle: as the procurement phase began, the region was hit by two devastating flood events in 10 days.
The floods isolated the area, and the initial Request for Tender (RfX) yielded no submissions. Council needed a clear path forward to ensure the rebuild could proceed despite the dual impact of fire and flood.
When the initial tender did not attract submissions, Local Government Procurement stepped in to help Forbes Shire Council understand and overcome the obstacles. LGP proactively engaged with parties who had downloaded the documentation to identify why they hadn't submitted a tender.
The feedback was clear: travel requirements, current capacity, and misalignment with business models were the primary barriers.
Armed with these insights, LGP supported Council in navigating the procurement provisions under section 55 of the Local Government Act 1993 (NSW). This enabled Council to engage directly with a local construction firm that was ready and capable of delivering the project.
The result:
Local Reinvestment: The selection of a central NSW contractor ensured approximately $2million was reinvested into the local economy.
Community Recovery: Construction was completed in August 2024.
Economic Growth: The new facility has already enabled major local businesses, such as Turners Furniture One, to expand, effectively filling the gap left by the fire.
The Forbes Homemaker Centre project is a testament to the resilience of the local community and the power of adaptive procurement. By working closely with Forbes Shire Council, LGP helped turn a challenging situation into a significant local investment.
If your council is facing complex procurement hurdles or needs support to deliver critical infrastructure, Local Government Procurement will guide you through every step.
Case Study
With support from the LGP Capability Grant Program FY25, Warren Shire Council has strengthened its approach to ethical procurement through the successful delivery of its Building Capacity to Manage Modern Slavery Risks in Procurement initiative.