Council rejects all 14 tenders for $1.6 million tourism contract to promote Central Coast

CENTRAL Coast Council has rejected all bidders for a $1.6 million tourism contract and instead will enter into negotiations with the first-ranked tenderer.

Terrigal Crowne Plaza and Terrigal Beach is the jewel in the Central Coast’s tourism crown. Picture: Peter Clark

CENTRAL Coast Council has rejected all bidders for a $1.6 million tourism contract and instead will enter into negotiations with the first-ranked tenderer.

Administrator Ian Reynolds accepted a recommendation at Wednesday night’s council meeting not to accept any of the tenders but delegate chief executive officer Rob Noble to enter into negotiations with the front runner­.

A council spokeswoman said it would now “negotiate with the first-ranked tenderer with a view to entering into a two-year contract for the delivery of a marketing strategy and associated services for the local tourism industry to promote economic development and enhance tourism opportunities on the Coast”.

It was not known which organisation, including incumbent provider Central Coast Tourism (CCT), was the first-ranked tenderer.

The report said members of a tender evaluation panel assessed all submissions on price, proposed service delivery and methodology, and their track record.

The council received 14 submissions, one of which from Present Company was deemed “nonconforming” and not further evaluated.

Another from Queensland-based sanitation company Enviro One Service was withdrawn after the Express Advocate pointed out the farcical gaff, which the company put down to a “clerical error”.

Administrator Ian Reynolds and chief executive officer Rob Noble during a council meeting.

The tenderers were ranked by their overall score with the results kept a closely guarded secret under a section of the Local Government Act 1993 regarding documents that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage.

CCT, which has been the region’s peak tourism body for 23 years, has been in limbo since the council called for expressions of interest on November 24.

The council advertised the tender in late January with submissions closing on March 7.

CCT’s existing funding ends on June 30 with council last year resolving to increase its tourism spend to $1.6 million over two years with a one-year extension option but put it out to tender.

The report to the council advised Mr Reynolds against accepting the first-ranked tenderer’s bid for confidential reasons and recommended negotiations.

It also rejected inviting fresh applications because there was insufficient time before the July 1 deadline and it would cost too much.

“It is considered likely that such negotiations will result in the delivery of high quality and high value services to the council and the community it serves,” the report stated.

At Wednesday night’s council meeting funding agreements with Greater Toukley Vision, Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce and Gosford Business Improvement District to manage the town centres were extended for a further year.