Meeting papers

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING                                              8 JULY 2025


   •   This program is 4 weeks away from construction delivery and then a 12-week period of
       acquittal. This program had a value approved for $139M but the forecast final cost is $110M.
       This 21% saving to federal and state budgets was delivered with NorthLane management
       costs not exceeding 4.5% of the forecast final cost.
   •   They consistently deliver high-quality outcomes across all assigned tasks. Their performance
       has met or exceeded expectations in timing, cost, and professional representation of Council
       - both within the community and with Queensland Reconstruction Authority. They have been
       active in providing Council guidance on continuous improvement opportunities to reduce risk
       or maximise cost recovery.
   •   They can apply their deep understanding of the operational requirements Council expects
       and how they apply to the Reconstruction of Essential Public Assets grant conditions and
       how Queensland Reconstruction Authority expects outcome-based results.
   •   They are stakeholder focused, finding collaborative ways to work with Council at a community
       level. They have consistently represented Council in challenging public situations with
       professionalism.
   •   They are recognised as leaders in providing tender documents that are well considered
       resulting in higher quality construction tender proposals. Their focus on constructability
       reduces the cost of variations and delays to the program.
   •   Feedback from internal and external stakeholders has been highly positive with recognition
       that NorthLane target value for money outcomes for Council, including whole of life cost
       considerations. Where issues are raised, they work towards solutions to match Council
       expectations, where grant funding allows.
Whilst a market tender will allow Council to fully explore what other options are available, it poses
the following risks:
   •   Potential delays to delivery of the essential work related to the natural disaster. A tender
       program of work is 14 – 16 weeks and use of resources that could be progressing solutions.
   •   Risk losing intelligence that has been established by the current working team. This will be
       especially important to areas that have had repeated disaster damage such as roads in
       Cootharaba and Black Mountain. Apart from applying the prior engineering knowledge,
       NorthLane have had incredibly positive interactions within those communities. The ability to
       continue to use pre-existing engineering information and represent Council with no delay is
       a significantly positive way to help distressed communities.
It is proposed to mitigate issues with continuing to contract with NorthLane, Council should:
   •   Continue to impose KPI’s in the contract about delivery performance, cost transparency and
       risk identification.
   •   Reporting at an operational level (via fortnightly ops meetings) and at executive level at
       monthly Capital Works Executive Group. Queensland Reconstruction Authority also have
       their own reporting methodology to ensure Council, and by default, also NorthLane are
       complying with necessary KPI’s applicable to the grant.
6. Evaluation Criteria – Capacity
NorthLane have indicated that Noosa Council continues to be a client of preference.
   •   They have capacity to complete the existing 2022 Disaster Reconstruction Funding
       Arrangement works.
   •   They are completing the 2022 Disaster Reconstruction Funding Arrangement Emergency
       Works work – coordinating the asphalt and gravel road works.
   •   They have committed to 2025 Disaster Reconstruction Funding Arrangement work using
       similar resources to the current program.




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