Alternative options for Blakebrook Quarry to be explored

LISMORE City Council are calling for Expressions of Interest from tomorrow for the alternative operation of Northern Rivers Quarry & Asphalt.

LISMORE City Council are calling for Expressions of Interest from tomorrow for the alternative operation of Northern Rivers Quarry & Asphalt, and specifically Blakebrook Quarry.

The multi-million dollar Blakebrook Quarry is a business unit of Council with an annual turnover of around $12 million and a licence to extract 600,000 tonnes of aggregate per annum until 2039.

While the quarry is profitable, Commercial Services Manager Phil Klepzig said part of Council's Strategic Action Plan for the business was to investigate alternative options for its operation, in a bid to improve returns and reduce risk.

"Proposals could range from the purchase of more efficient machinery right through to sale of the business," Mr Zlepzig said.

"Basically we are asking people to come to us with ideas and we will put all options on the table.

"This is part of a greater push for Lismore City Council to become financially sustainable.

"We need to look at all our operations and see where we can save money and improve efficiency.

"This Expression of Interest process is essentially a fishing exercise to see what interest is out there and what ideas people can come up with."

A key driver in calling for Expressions of Interest is the age of the on-site asphalt plant.

Council is currently leasing an asphalt plant until August as the old plant is no longer viable.

Phil said now was the time to investigate alternative options for quarry operation, before Council committed to any large capital expenditure for a new asphalt plant.

Expressions of Interest for Blakebrook Quarry close at 2pm on Wednesday, March 2.

An optional pre-tender site inspection will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, February 10.

Contractors are to meet at the quarry entrance on Nimbin Road and people must register with Stephanie Pym or Phil Klepzig on 1300 87 83 87 prior to the site inspection.

Contractors must bring appropriate PPE including footwear, wide-brimmed hat and high visibility clothing.

To access relevant documents regarding the EOI, interested parties need to register at Council's eProcurement portal, www.tenderlink.com/lismore.

Submissions may also be lodged at this site.