3.4.1  Site investigation reports

Government will indicate whether it intends to specify a preferred site, nominate a definite site or leave the question of location open to bidders (i.e. the site is a hospital project - need to service a particular locality).  The adequacy of the site will have important implications for delivering the project.

Factors that can affect site adequacy, include:

•  suitability;

•  issues arising in site acquisition;

•  environmental liabilities arising from site features; and

•  native title issues.

Governments will usually appoint independent consultants to undertake due diligence on the proposed site and relevant site conditions, and prepare a site assessment report. This information will usually form information provided in the invitation for EOI and RFP documentation and the reports will usually be provided to short listed bidders during the RFP phase.

Given the significant time often involved with undertaking these investigations and the requirement for this information to be available to develop key aspects of the RFP documentation, this work should be undertaken early.

Further information on how specific site risks are allocated between government and the private party can be found in National Commercial Principles for Social Infrastructure.