FOLLOWING tonight’s extraordinary meeting, Richmond Valley Council has authorised General Manager Vaughan Macdonald, in liaison with JLL Agribusiness, to enter direct negotiations with the preferred entities for the lease of the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange to get the best outcome for the community.
Council received a detailed independent tender assessment, campaign summary and recommendations from JLL Agribusiness for the leasing of the NRLX.
After a thorough evaluation of the submitted tenders by JLL and, on its recommendation, Council has determined unanimously to decline all submissions due to them being either non-conforming or not fully addressing the tendering criteria.
The outcome of the negotiations will be reported back to Council at a future meeting for consideration and decision.
At its September meeting, Council resolved to undertake an open market tender process for a long-term lease of the NRLX, with the tender process to be conducted by a suitably qualified independent contractor.
Council appointed JLL Agribusiness, a highly regarded professional services firm to manage the procurement process independently, including assessment of the tenders and final recommendations to Council on suitable applicants. The open tender for the lease of the NRLX opened on 26 October and concluded on 30 November.