Fire station construction to start

Construction of the new Killcare Bushfire Brigade Station is to start soon after lengthy delays and a budget shortfall of $92,000.

The shortfall will come out of capital works funds in a future budget review.

At a recent meeting, the council voted unanimously to proceed with the fire station.

Cr Lynne Bockholt spoke about the state of the current facilities: "This is just two old sheds dragged together.

"It's an absolute disgrace," she said.

"I'm sorry it has dragged on for so long."

The work involves the demolition of the existing timber framed building and construction of a steel framed and clad building.

The new building would include a garage, office, training and meeting rooms as well as associated landscaping, internal paving and fencing works.

The construction period is 16 weeks and the work is scheduled to start this month.

Seven tenders were received from Winterton Constructions Pty Ltd Surry Hills, Kinsley Constructions Pty Ltd St Leonards, Williams River Steel Pty Ltd Tomago, McKenzie Building and Construction North Sydney, Classic Group Pty Ltd Baulkham Hills, Pluim Custom Building Pty Ltd West Gosford, and KWW Mainstay Ourimbah.

Written advice was received from the lowest tenderer, Winterton Constructions Pty Ltd, that they were withdrawing their tender as a result of unforeseen circumstances.

The tender assessment involved consideration of the price, financial capacity and resources, previous experience and performance, quality of work, environmental protection and occupational health and safety.

Based on this assessment, Gosford Council was told that Kinsley Constructions Pty Ltd was the preferred tenderer.

A staff report stated: "The company is experienced in this type of work and has recently completed construction of a frozen food warehouse and factory refurbishment to the value of $3 million and supermarket refurbishment works to the value of $6 million.

"It is recommended that the tender from Kinsley Constructions Pty Limited be accepted."

The council was told that additional works which were not included in the original estimate and higher than anticipated building costs meant the project would cost more than expected.

Council's contracts section provided an estimated cost of $343,055 to complete the development based on council accepting the recommended tender.

Funds have been expended to date on application fees, working drawings and geotechnical, civil and structural engineering designs.

Council's budget for the project was $251,350.

This left a shortfall of approximately $92,000.

It was decided to proceed with the project even though "this may result in another project(s) being deferred".

The decision would ensure "that Council retains the Rural Fire Service funding for the project and completes the project to Council's requirements", the council was told.

Jonathan Reichard, Council agenda FS.023, January 28