Lismore council gives up on idea of selling airport

THE SALE or lease of Lismore’s airport is off the agenda after the council's expressions-of-interest process bombed.

THE SALE or lease of Lismore's airport is off the agenda.

Council undertook an Expression of Interest process after being approached by a company believed to be based in Western Australia to buy the airport back in June.

Mayor Jenny Dowell said at the time the approach had come "out of the blue" as selling the airport had not been something they were considering.

However with around $20 million being dangled before them, council sought expressions of interest to see if it was worth pursuing.

Two submissions were received; from JJ Ryan Consulting Pty Ltd and Industries Seven Pty Ltd.

But a report back to council next week has scotched the idea, saying neither party had complied with council's requests for information.

"JJ Ryan submitted a non-conforming offer and the Industries Seven proposal lacked information on key components," the report says.

"Neither of the submissions went to the heart of the intentions expressed by council in the Expression of Interest documentation, nor provided sufficient information to enable council to warrant progressing to a further tender stage," the report says.

The submission from Industries Seven is a hand-written, four-page document.

Cr Dowell said it had been "very disappointing".

"Council embarked on this process after having an approach (to buy the airport) and spent quite a lot time, effort and some money in staff time in preparing the EoI document.

"The expressions have been less than satisfactory; there is not enough information to warrant us going any further," she said.

Meanwhile, Ballina Council has appointed a consultant to negotiate a lease for their airport.