Corporate Finance Properties and Tenders Committee
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CORPORATE, FINANCE, PROPERTIES AND TENDERS COMMITTEE 31 OCTOBER 2011 ITEM 36. TENDER - EL ALAMEIN MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN RESTORATION – MACLEAY STREET KINGS CROSS FILE NO: S096278 TENDER NO: R&N 1037 SUMMARY This report provides details of the negotiated tenders received for the restoration of the State heritage listed El Alamein Memorial Fountain in Kings Cross. The restoration project was previously tendered in June 2010. On 16 August 2010, Council resolved to reject all tenders, revise the documentation in consultation with the Woodward family and directed that the Chief Executive Officer enter into negotiations with suitably qualified contractors to undertake the works. The project documentation has been revised with the family of the original designer, the late Mr Robert Woodward. The proposed restoration works have been re-documented and re-tendered. The project scope includes preservation and restoration to the stonework, the bronze weirs, the dandelion centrepiece, waterproofing and cleaning of the mosaic tiles. It also includes tree root barrier works in the surrounding area. RECOMMENDATION It is resolved that: (A) Council accept the tender offer of Tenderer ‘A’ for restoration of the El Alamein Fountain, Kings Cross; (B) Council endorse the proposed scope of works outlined in the subject report as reviewed with the Woodward Family; (C) Council approve funding from the capital works contingency as described in Attachment D to the subject report; and (D) Tender Evaluation Summary, Attachment D to the subject report, remain confidential in accordance with Section 10A(2)(d) of the Local Government Act 1993. ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Resolution of Council of 26 July 2010 Attachment B: Resolution of Council of 16 August 2010 Attachment C: Location Map Attachment D: Tender Evaluation Summary (Confidential). TENDER - EL ALAMEIN MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN RESTORATION – MACLEAY STREET KINGS CROSS 21452410 CORPORATE, FINANCE, PROPERTIES AND TENDERS COMMITTEE 31 OCTOBER 2011 BACKGROUND 1. The El Alamein Memorial Fountain is located in Fitzroy Gardens, Kings Cross. The fountain was designed by architects Woodward and Taranto and built in 1961. The fountain commemorates the famous battle at El Alamein during World War II, in which the Ninth Division of the Australian Imperial Forces played a significant role in ending World War II. The lively burst of water depicts the Ninth Division victory at El Alamein, breaking the deadlock of WW II. 2. The memorial fountain and its curtilage were placed on the New South Wales State Heritage list on 20 December 2010. 3. The fountain is recognised as one of the most outstanding fountains of its type worldwide. It has become a Sydney icon and has been the source of inspiration for many similar fountains around the world. 4. In June 2009, a report was completed to investigate the fountain’s condition which identified that the primary cause of water loss was through leaks under the fountain’s bronze weirs and stone coping. The fountain is currently losing water at a rate of 5,000 litres per day. 5. In February 2010, a condition assessment and treatment report detailed the condition of the fountain and provided conservation treatment recommendations, which will guide the restoration works. 6. In June 2010, tenders were prepared based on the condition assessment prepared by Sydney Artefact Conservation – conservation consultants. 7. On 16 August 2010, Council resolved to reject all tenders, that tender documentation be reviewed in consultation with the Woodward family, and the Chief Executive Officer enter into negotiations with suitably qualified contractors to undertake the works and to report back to Council the outcome of project scope, project documentation and contract award. 8. The El Alamein Fountain is recognised as a State heritage item listed under the NSW Heritage Act. The proposed works have been granted exemption from the NSW Heritage Council approval as part of its SHR listing process and included in Schedule “C” (b) of its published listing on the State Heritage Register by the Minister for Planning on 14 January 2011. 9. Proposed works to the memorial fountain will be carried out in accordance with the site specific exemption granted by the Minister for Planning and included in Schedule “C” (b) of the State Heritage Register listing of the El Alamein Memorial Fountain. The purpose of the works is to restore and preserve the fountain, maintaining the original design intent of the late Mr Robert Woodward. The philosophy and process adopted has been guided by the Australian ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Burra Charta 1999. The works include: (a) metal work scope: (i) fountain centrepiece (dandelion) column and sphere - remove and thoroughly clean the fountain head, and refix to match the existing, clean the column and refit the nozzles and the wands; TENDER - EL ALAMEIN MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN RESTORATION – MACLEAY STREET KINGS CROSS 21452410 CORPORATE, FINANCE, PROPERTIES AND TENDERS COMMITTEE 31 OCTOBER 2011 (ii) weirs - remove all bronze weirs for cleaning and reinstatement of the weirs in their existing locations. Fixing of weirs has been revised to incorporate a jig to allow for easy removal for future maintenance works should they be required. The weirs will be fixed with water resistant sealants to prevent the current leaking into Fitzroy Gardens; and (iii) cleaning of waste outlets and wall vents. (b) stone work scope: (i) remove all worn/deteriorated material in the bedding and mortar joints, including cement patching in all edges and walls; (ii) patch repair stone walls and coping where cracked; (iii) repoint all joints; and (iv) reset loose coping stone. (c) mosaic tiles scope: (i) cleaning of existing tiles; and (ii) replace or reinstate any broken or missing tiles. 10. Tree root barrier works and pavement reinstatement are also included to protect fountain walls from future damage. 11. The following specialist works will be undertaken separately by the City as design work is in progress and yet to be finalised. They are not part of the contract. It should be noted that the Woodward family has been involved with the detail design of items (a) and (b) and (c) listed: (a) fabrication and installation of four leaf arrestors (filters) associated with the four glory holes (drains) in the bottom pool. These are required for maintenance and occupation health and safety reasons to ensure the efficient functioning of the fountain; (b) replacement of original modified nine glory holes (fountain drains); (c) the reinstatement of six missing original copper light shrouds (surrounds to the lights in the fountain); and (d) the reinstatement of two missing plaques. These works are to be undertaken at the completion of the contract work. 12. The City has undertaken a detailed and thorough review of restoration documentation for the memorial fountain in conjunction with the Woodward family over the past 10 months. Staff have held six meetings to address and resolve concerns raised by the family. Council has invited the Woodward Family to continue their involvement in the project by attending monthly update meetings during construction. TENDER - EL ALAMEIN MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN RESTORATION – MACLEAY STREET KINGS CROSS 21452410 CORPORATE, FINANCE, PROPERTIES AND TENDERS COMMITTEE 31 OCTOBER 2011 13. The documentation was prepared by Sydney Artefacts Conservation and Swan + May Architects in conjunction with the Woodward family and Council staff. The documentation requires a large number of inspections to control quality of all trades associated with the work. 14. Essential maintenance works associated with the fountain’s hydraulics have been excluded from this tender. Works comprise the replacement of an aged and inefficient pump, a new sanitation system and associated hydraulic works to enhance the efficiency of the pump. These works will be carried out by Council at the completion of the tendered works. 15. A development application for the works is required and has been submitted for assessment. The exhibition closed on 11 October 2011 and approval is to be granted prior to commencement of work. 16. Consultations were held with operational and asset management staff to ensure proposed works met operational and Occupational Health and Safety requirements. 17. The works will be recorded by an Archival Photographer in accordance with State Heritage Council requirements. INVITATION TO TENDER 18. Council invited two specialist organisations to submit proposals on 6 September 2011, with submissions closing on 27 September 2011. TENDER SUBMISSIONS 19. At the close of proposals, Council received one submission from the following organisation: • Heritage Building Services Pty Ltd. 20. No late submissions were received. TENDER EVALUATION 21. All members of the Tender Evaluation Panel have signed Pecuniary Interest Declarations. No pecuniary interests were noted. 22. The submission was assessed in accordance with the approved evaluation criteria being: (a) tender price; (b) key personnel; (c) program; (d) methodology; (e) experience; (f) environmental management; and TENDER - EL ALAMEIN MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN RESTORATION – MACLEAY STREET KINGS CROSS 21452410 CORPORATE, FINANCE, PROPERTIES AND TENDERS COMMITTEE 31 OCTOBER 2011 (g) Occupational Health and Safety. 23. The above criteria are not in order of priority. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT 24. To ensure quality performance, there are a number of proposed measures which include the conducting of regular meetings to monitor progress. There are a large number