A TIGHT turnaround means Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) could put out expressions of interest for its Organic Recycling Facility before the project is approved by an independent planning panel.
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The council recently awarded a new waste collection contract and will introduce a food and garden organic collection service in July 2022.
Between now and then it will need to complete the tender process for the facility, award the contract and complete construction.
On Tuesday, councillors will vote on whether to approve the release of an expression of interest (EOI) to businesses that can help with the detailed design, construction and operation of the $15 million facility.
The controversial project was deferred by Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP) chair Paul Mitchell in February, who felt the project "lacked transparency" and "detail".
The council took its development application back to the drawing board to address key concerns, like how leachate could be stopped from contaminating neighbouring properties.
The idea is to put expressions of interest out to the industry to make sure the end result is a facility that's easy to operate.
The invitation for an EOI could be the first step of a multi-stage tender process, and after the EOIs are received the council may put together a list of the businesses it feels are best for the job.
The EOI doesn't commit the council to proceed with a formal tender or to include any businesses in the shortlist.
A peer review of the project by Tallis Consultants identified 39 recommendations to help see the project be approved by the NRPP when it is resubmitted.
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Since then the council has had further conversations with the National Resource Access Regulator and Water NSW, reviewed impacts on traffic and drafted stronger regulatory measures with the NSW Environmental Protection Authority.
It's expected to be tabled at the next NRPP meeting in August.