Decision defended

Edward River Council has been forced to defend its decision to award the Town Hall and Estates building contract to a Shepparton-based company.

When Moretto Building was confirmed as the successful tender Thursday last week, locals expressed their outrage a local business was not hired via the PASTORAL TIMES’ social media channels.

Council has since confirmed that three of the five tenders considered came from local businesses.

But Mayor Norm Brennan said the location of the business cannot be the sole deciding factor for council.

He said there are a variety of things council must weigh up when awarding a tender.

‘‘Where possible we would like to engage local businesses, however we must also ensure value for our ratepayers as well as the experience of contractors for specific work,’’ Cr Brennan said.

‘‘In this instance, Moretto offered significantly better value for money which we know is important to our ratepayers and would ensure the project can be completed within budget.

‘‘One of the complaints being heard is the business is not local, but he (Moretto managing director Frank Moretto) is going to employ up to 10 local subcontractors to help him do the works.

‘‘He also had far more experience than the other tenderers in works of this nature.

‘‘If we had chosen the second lowest tender, ratepayers would be up in arms on council for spending money unnecessarily when Moretto costs significantly less.’’

As part of the tender process, Cr Brennan said council extensively investigates each option.

‘‘The project manager and director of infrastructure had four or five walk throughs with each of the individual tenderers,’’ he said.

‘‘When they put their price in, we reevaluated and question things they might not have put in, and then we go through a weighting process.

‘‘If local tender was very close to the mark, we would go local as a preference. But when there is a significant price difference and they are using local contractors anyway, one has to go down that path to get best value for your dollar.

‘‘We try to support all local businesses as much as possible, we actually have a policy on that, and we will keep doing that as best as we possibly can.’’

Council said it could not reveal the exact price difference between Moretto and the second lowest tenderer, for commercial in confidence reasons.

More than $6 million in funding has been allocated to the project, which includes Deniliquin Town Hall upgrades, refurbishment of the Estates building and the creation of a community park space between the two historic buildings at the eastern end of Cressy St.

Moretto Building managing director Frank Moretto said about 50 per cent of the funding is expected to be spent in Deniliquin, and more in the outlying local areas.

‘‘We have gone to local trades and people who were able to quote the job, and run with those prices.

‘‘It makes the job easier to have people on your side from the local community, who know the place and the project. I try to use as many local trades as I can in every project, and I am really looking forward to working with them on this particular project.’’

Upgrades to the Town Hall will begin first. Cr Brennan anticipates the project will be completed within 12 months.