Overview Liverpool City Council intends to enter into a contract to establish a Panel arrangement for Natural Area Management Works (ST3352). The panel will allow Council to engage prequalified contractors on a project specific basis for bush regeneration and weed maintenance, water sensitive urban design asset maintenance, and fauna pest management services. About Liverpool is fast becoming Sydney's third CBD as the Gateway City to Western Sydney Airport. Its current population of almost 250,000 is estimated to reach over 300,000 by 2030. Liverpool City Council is leading the community through a period of rapid change and growth towards a more dynamic city centre with a vibrant night-time economy. Scope From time to time, Council may require contractors on a project specific basis. Depending on the services required, Council may elect to invite one or more prequalified panel members to tender for a specific contract assignment. The engagement will be based on the proposed technical scope, proposed timeframe and costs as per the rates submitted under ST3352 (i.e. panel) for the following services: Portion A: Bush Regeneration and Weed Maintenance Portion B: Water Sensitive Urban Design, Asset Maintenance Portion C: Fauna Pest Management Portion A: Bush Regeneration and Weed Maintenance The purpose of Portion A is to improve the biodiversity values of the bushland around the Liverpool LGA and restore ecological integrity by rehabilitating and revegetating natural areas using best practice weed management. The projects will involve sites that have had some rehabilitation and sites that have not been managed for many years, ranging from threatened ecological communities (TEC), riparian corridors, new and established revegetated areas, and various water bodies, predominantly urbanised bushland. The required services include: Developing, implementing and maintaining rehabilitation and revegetation projects, both short and long term, from one day to two years Undertaking best practice weed management techniques for all general groups of invasive and environmental weed species (for example, woodys, vines, groundcovers, aquatics) Identifying and applying NSW state and federal legislation for weed management in natural areas Identifying prohibited weed matter and following relevant NSW protocols Undertaking native vegetation management in an urban setting (for example, canopy lift, track maintenance, APZ) Applying herbicide in accordance with required handling, practices and protocols Undertaking litter waste collection and management in bushland and waterways Using plant equipment as required for all levels and intensities of weed management, including waterways Adhering to ecological hygiene protocols for Phytophthora sp., myrtle rust and similar Complying with chain of responsibility (CoR) policy and procedures for operational vehicles over 4.5 tonne (National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation is not essential) Undertaking mowing Portion B: Water Sensitive Urban Design Asset Maintenance The purpose of Portion B is to improve the aesthetic quality of the WSUD assets and surrounding landscape in the LGA to ensure the community has access to clean, healthy, comfortable, accessible and attractive natural and urban areas. Relevant WSUD assets may include raingardens, constructed wetlands and gross pollutant traps. The tender also aims to improve the biodiversity values of the WSUD assets and surrounding areas by managing invasive species through best practice bush regeneration methods that support the long-term health of the ecosystem, improving water quality and reducing pollution and sediments into waterways. Vegetation and ecosystem management services include: WSUD maintenance: routine weeding and litter removal from rain gardens, biofiltration basins and swales to prevent media clogging Aquatic regeneration: best practice bush regeneration and hand weeding in wetlands, lakes and riparian zones Revegetation: sourcing and installation of mass planted native tube stock and semi-mature trees, including staking and hydration Biomass control: mowing, slashing and forestry mulching in basins and transitional zones Soil health: targeted mulch replenishment in non-flooded zones to suppress weeds Asset renewal and capacity works include: Rain garden rectification: conversion of temporary silt traps into functioning rain gardens, including excavation, disposal, biofiltration installation, liners, landscaping and tree planting De-silting: mechanical or manual sediment removal from ponds, wetlands and channels to restore flow and storage capacity Asset rehabilitation: replacement of liners, filter media and drainage components in rain gardens and basins to restore functionality Erosion control: maintenance of rock rip-rap, energy dissipators and coir logs at high-flow areas where erosion may be an issue Infrastructure clearing: debris and sediment removal from weirs and culverts in accordance with Landcom (2004) "Blue Book" standards Hard landscaping: maintenance of sandstone rip rap and boulder barriers for slope stability and access control Arboriculture and public safety services include: Tree services: AQF Level 3 arborist works per AS 4373-2007, including emergency response and habitat protection Path maintenance: pruning for 2.1 metre overhead clearance, storm debris clearing and hazard mitigation Site hygiene: safe disposal of litter and sharps, and coordinated recovery of shopping trolleys Compliance and emergency response services include: Water testing: field testing for pH, turbidity and dissolved oxygen, and inspections to assess the health of waterways (for example, algal blooms or anaerobic conditions) Spill response: rapid deployment of booms and sediment curtains for localised pollution incidents Waste compliance: lawful classification and disposal of excavated soil and sediment per NSW EPA guidelines Portion C: Fauna Pest Management The purpose of Portion C is to effectively manage fauna pest species consistent with legislative requirements and regional plans, ensuring pest control measures are efficient, effective, and appropriately target species of greatest risk to the community, environment and economy. The project also aims to improve the biodiversity values of the site and restore ecological integrity by managing invasive and pest species through best practice pest management methods. Priority pest management targets: Feral cat management European fox management Feral pig management Feral deer management Feral European rabbit management Mosquito management Nuisance pest management targets: Exotic bird management (for example, Indian Myna, feral pigeon) European carp management Bee and wasp management Native nuisance management targets: Termite and ant management Australian white ibis management Other bird management (for example, plovers, magpies) Snake catching and removal Contractor Requirements Tenderers must provide a response to the following essential criterion: Adherence to relevant Australian Standards and Codes of Practice for pest management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach Emphasis on prevention through environmental management, sanitation recommendations, and structural improvements, where applicable Proactive measures to reduce the need for chemical treatments, where applicable Detailed description of pest monitoring and identification methods Use of appropriate traps, inspection techniques, and data collection Clear articulation of approach to determining when and where treatments are necessary based on pest activity levels and species biology Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of their IPM program Treatment Plan Specificity Clear description of the proposed treatment methods for the various priority and nuisance animals listed Specific products and application techniques to be used, with consideration for safety and environmental impact Justification for the chosen treatment methods Consideration of sensitive areas or specific requirements Instructions to Tenderers Please refer to the Doing Business with Liverpool City Council guide at http://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/business/doing-business-with-council. The guide provides a summary of the standards that Council requires of persons or organisations providing work for Council as consultants, contractors and suppliers. When dealing with Council in your capacity as a provider of goods and services, you must conduct your business in accordance with Council's ethical standards and legal requirements. Offers must be completely uploaded as PDF files (unless another format is specified by Council for any particular document) into the electronic tender box by the closing time. Council recommends allowing sufficient time to lodge your offer, all supporting documents and attachments, as late submissions will not be accepted after the closing time. Tenderers should also consider the number and size of documents, as these may take time to process and upload. Tenderers will receive a Successful Submission Receipt timed and dated upon completion. Enquiries Project enquiries must be submitted for ST3352 - Natural Area Management Works Panel via the online forum. Liverpool City Council staff are not permitted to take enquiries in relation to the project.