Expression of Interest

**Expression of Interest - Main Street Revitalisation - Expert Panel Member Volunteer**

**Please note this is a Volunteer **role.**
- Council is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced independent professional to assist in the selection of main street revitalisation proposals from our community.- The successful applicant will be required to participate in a Council appointed evaluation panel who will be responsible for shortlisting Stage 1 expressions of interest submissions.- The expressions of interest may come from a coalition of local businesses, main street property owners, chambers of commerce, community and arts organisations. The proposals will identify opportunities for partnering with Council in main street improvement projects. Council will deliver the improvements but the ideas, the activation and community involvement will be provided by the partnerships.- Note - the Main Street Revitalisation Program is not a grant program.**APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS**
- Suitable applicants shall bring to the role the following skillsets:
- ESSENTIAL:
- Qualifications in a relevant field such as planning, urban design, project management, commerce, business, economics or other relevant discipline.
- Experience or interest in the field of place-making, public domain design and project delivery.
- Proven experience with community or business consultation and networks.
- DESIRABLE:
- Familiar with main streets and centers in the inner west
- Experience with and understanding of government selection processes
- Association or employment with a peak body that promotes the objectives of the EOI
- SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS- Applicants will be required to:
- Submit a Curriculum Vitae setting out their qualifications and experience
- Declare any potential conflicts of interest arising from association with local Inner West organisations (eg. association with a local chamber of commerce or other local organisation) who may be expected to respond to the EOI invitation.

**TWO STEP EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PROCESS**
- The process adopted by Council identifies the following requirements.- To be complying proposals, the Stage 1 expression of interest (EOI) submissions must comply with the following:
- The projects must take place in the Inner West LGA;
- Project must enhance our main streets by contributing to the safety, vibrancy, and appearance of the local area
- All projects are assessed as able to be completed by the 2023/24 financial year; and
- Prior to implementation, the proposals must still go through the usual
- Inner West Council processes for approvals including public exhibition of proposed plans.
- The proposals will identify opportunities for partnering with Council in main street improvement projects. Council will deliver the improvements but the ideas, the activation and community involvement will be provided by the partnerships.

The following selection criteria applies to the assessment of Stage 1 EOI proposals:

- **Who in our community will benefit from your proposal?** Proposals that are expected to appeal to a broader group will be ranked highest.
- **How will it contribute to the vibrancy of main streets in the Inner West?** Proposals focused on street activation and engagement of a broader community profile will be ranked highest.
- **Do you have experience delivering/participating in projects of this kind?** Requires an assessment of relevant experience, skills and knowledge in this work area.
- **Can the Council defined works be delivered within a short timeframe and within the allocated budget?** Requires the proposal to identify the scope of works in such a way that a reasonable estimate of the value of the works, timeframe for delivery and approval requirements can be determined.
- **Is there a commitment to any additional maintenance or caring for the attractiveness of the street in a cooperative arrangement with Council?** Requires some sort of undertaking that the external party is willing to contribute resources that complement Council’s usual contribution to maintenance operations and capital works.

**STAGE 2 EOI**:
Following selection in the Stage 1 shortlisting, successful stage 1 EOI applicants will be assigned an experienced Council project manager, to support the development of the project concept and its delivery.

Stage 2 of the EOI will be refining and developing proposals. This will require a direct engagement between Council officers and the proposers to turn their proposals into a workable project with clear responsibilities and commitments from each party. A memorandum of understanding or other form of agreement prior to committing to deliver the scope of works will be agreed by both parties. There may also be an opportunity to bring together different groups that have similar ideas and aligned interests.

This will include:

- Finalising of date/s, time/s and location/s for delivery.
- Further the project concept if necessary.
- WH&S guidelines and risk assessment documenta