Gippsland Ports is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) for provision of independent auditing services required during operation of the Tommy Norton Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge (TSHD).

Tender documents for download:
Expressions Of Interest Independent Audit – Environmental Management Plan and Independent Audit Brief Gippsland Lakes Ocean Access Maintenance Dredging

Project Brief

2.1     Background

Lakes Entrance is home to Victoria’s largest commercial fishing fleet, and is a popular recreational boating, fishing and tourism destination.  Lakes Entrance is located on the Gippsland Lakes, an interconnected chain of six rivers and four lakes covering 420 square kilometres.  The only access to the Gippsland Lakes from the ocean is at Lakes Entrance, via a man-made opening built in 1889 to connect the lakes with Bass Strait.  Ever since its construction, natural coastal processes have caused a build-up of sand at the entrance, into the inner channels and formed the bar outside the entrance.

Maintaining access at the entrance is critical to the commercial fishing fleet supply of fish to the Melbourne and Sydney markets.  The entrance is also strategically important as it provides access to a port of refuge, maritime services, salvage and rescue and supports economic activity in the Gippsland region associated with recreational boating and fishing and tourism.

Gippsland Ports is responsible for port and waterway management at the Port of Gippsland Lakes.

The Victorian Government supports Gippsland Ports to operate dredging and sand management resources including a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredge (TSHD) Tommy Norton to provide the Gippsland Lakes Ocean Access (GLOA) program that ensures ocean access to the Gippsland Lakes. 

Gippsland Ports is seeking Expressions of Interest from appropriately qualified and experienced companies to undertake the annual independent audit of the approved GLOA Environmental Management Plan.

Submissions

The following information is to be provided in submissions:

• Company details including legal name, trading name, address, ABN and contact details.
• The Company’s experience in providing the auditing services required.
• The names of any personnel who would be assigned to the project, and briefly their roles and responsibilities, qualifications, and other professional experience relevant to the conduct of this work.
• Any other relevant information.

Due Date and Lodgement

Submissions must be received in writing by 4:00pm on Friday 17 January 2025. 
Submissions received after that time will not be accepted.

Please deliver your submission to:

Expressions of Interest (EOI – EMP Audit)

Att: David Holding

Gippsland Ports

97 Main St,

Bairnsdale VIC 3875

Or alternatively by email to: davidh@gippslandports.vic.gov.au      

Please note that your proposal cannot be considered as accepted unless and until you receive written notice of acceptance.

Selection Criteria

 The following selection criteria will be used to assess submissions:

• Relevant company experience
• Relevant experience of proposed personnel
• Relevant quality assurance systems
• Capacity to undertake work in accordance with the Program schedule

 Assessment Process

Expressions of Interest will be assessed in accordance with the nominated selection criteria. 

Based on that assessment, a shortlist of preferred candidate(s) will be prepared. 

Shortlisted organisation(s) only will be invited to provide a detailed proposal for provision of the independent audit services.

Further Information

All general enquires and questions are to be directed to:

Name:              David Holding

Position:           Executive Manager Maritime Services

(Direct):           03 5155 6915

(Mobile):          0428 381 928

E-mail:              davidh@gippslandports.vic.gov.au      

Mail:                 Gippsland Ports, 97 Main St, Bairnsdale, VIC 3875

Website:          Sand Management – Gippsland Ports