Premier's Statement

The NSW Government is determined to deliver the change the people of NSW have called for to rebuild our State and make NSW number one. Work is well underway to rebuild the economy, return quality services, renovate infrastructure, strengthen our local environment and communities, and restore accountability to government.

Responsible economic management requires sound strategic planning coupled with rigorous fiscal discipline.

To this end, the NSW Government is seeking to engage with the private sector in the development and delivery of new infrastructure and services.

The NSW Government will encourage the best ideas and solutions from the private sector and a greater level of private sector investment and participation in projects, with rigorous planning and costing to deliver the highest standards of public value – and confidence to investors and the community.

The Guide for Submission and Assessment of Unsolicited Proposals [1] outlines a transparent and streamlined approach that will facilitate the NSW Government and private sector working together to develop and deliver innovative ideas. The Department of Premier and Cabinet has received a number of submissions that do not meet the criteria set out in the Guide that would justify a direct commercial relationship with a proponent (instead of a competitive tender). Supplementary information [2] has been developed to help those considering making a submission to confirm compatibility with the requirements of the process.

Its key objective is to provide consistency and certainty to private sector participants as to how their unsolicited proposals will be assessed within a transparent framework with key drivers for the NSW Government being how the proposal helps meet a strategic Government objective and value for money.

Submissions All initial submissions should be forwarded to: Director General NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet GPO Box 5341 Sydney NSW 2001

Enquiries Con Kargas Major Projects NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet GPO Box 5341 Sydney NSW 2001 Tel: 9228 5407 Email: unsolicitedproposals@dpc.nsw.gov.au [3]

The Assessment Process - An Overview

A three stage assessment process has been developed to guide the evaluation of proposals. This is described in detail in section 5 of the Guide. The process involves:

• Stage 1 - Initial Submission and Strategic Assessment includes a comprehensive initial assessment of the proposal to identify the potential benefit to Government of further consideration and development with the Proponent. The outcome is advice to the Proponent of progression to Stage 2, or that the Government does not wish to proceed.
• Stage 2 - Detailed Proposal requires the Proponent and Government to work cooperatively in the development and assessment of a Detailed Proposal. The outcome is advice to the Proponent of progression to Stage 3, or that the Government does not wish to proceed.
• Stage 3 - Negotiation of Final Binding Offer involves the finalisation of all outstanding issues with a view to entering into a binding agreement, should the Government accept the final offer.
  

Unsolicited Proposals – Stage 2

Brief details of all unsolicited proposals that progress to Stage 2 of the assessment process will be published here. The table below lists proposals currently under consideration.

Generally, the Government seeks to disclose all proposals in this stage. In some cases, Proponents may request that proposals are not listed, if this would pose significant risks to commercial negotiations or intellectual property. The Government considers each request and may agree not to disclose a proposal. The ability to undertake an assessment in confidence is considered essential to creating a receptive environment to elicit innovative private sector proposals.

A proposal that progresses to Stage 2 means that, in concept form, it is deemed of sufficient interest to Government to warrant further development and progression to a more defined project either with the original Proponent or, at their behest other parties, with a view to bringing a project to market.

Under Assessment