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The Tweed’s new Animal Pound and Rehoming Centre is one step closer to fruition after Council overnight awarded a contract to design and construct the new state-of-the-art facility.
At their meeting yesterday, Council unanimously agreed to award the design and construct contract for the new facility to Alder Construction Pty Ltd following a rigorous tendering process, with submissions received from six companies.
The $6.8 million contract is for the design and construction of the main animal rehoming building and carpark on Council-owned land at 92 – 102 Lundberg Drive, South Murwillumbah.
Work on the site will begin following completion of capping earthworks currently underway to rehabilitate the former tip site.
In total, the facility is expected to cost $9.1 million to build, funded by Tweed Shire Council with the support of the Australian and NSW governments.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry was excited to see the contract awarded.
“We are so pleased to see progress made on this exciting new facility for Tweed residents and a locally-based builder appointed to undertake the work,” Cr Cherry said.
“The new centre will be a one-stop-shop for the impounding, sheltering, and rehoming of animals and their veterinary care, the impoundment of vehicles, a new office base for our Rangers and a new administrative centre for our not-for-profit animal rehoming partners, Friends of the Pound.
“The facility is being designed to the latest standards in animal care and will provide significantly improved services for our community’s animals, including an outdoor exercise yard. We can’t wait for it to open.”
Construction is expected to commence by mid-to-late 2024, with completion expected by late 2025, weather permitting.
The new centre will replace Council’s former pound at Stotts Creek, which closed in 2019 after it was found to be flood-prone, and the area was required as part of the expansion of Council’s Resource and Recovery Centre. Currently, impounded animals are being cared for by a private operator, with the support of rehoming services by Friends of the Pound.
The new centre will be open to the public seven days a week and have the capacity to house up to 80 companion animals – 40 dogs and 40 cats – in need of new homes. It also includes space for animal enrichment at the rear of the property which is an important element of the design.
Funding for Stage 1 of the project has been provided by the following partners:
- Australian Government LRCI Phase 3 - COVID 19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Guidelines – $1,761,562
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Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot election commitment - $1 million
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NSW Office of Local Government - Local Government Grants (Floods) – Highly Impacted Councils - Companion Animals Support - $375,000
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Tweed Shire Council is funding an additional $6 million.
For more information on the pound, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/tweed-pound.
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